Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: June 14, 2018
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comSo far this year, several private and public entities, including the City of Atlanta and Delta Airlines, suffered high-profile cyber-attacks. In its latest cybersecurity strategy, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is advocating increased information sharing as a means to prevent and address threats.
In a press statement, Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen emphasized that the United States has reached a “historic turning point” with respect to cyber threats. “Digital security is now converging with personal and physical security, and it is clear that our cyber adversaries can now threaten the very fabric of our republic itself,” Nielsen said. “In an age of brand-name breaches, we must think beyond the defense of specific assets—and confront systemic risks that affect everyone from tech giants to homeowners. Our strategy outlines how DHS will leverage its unique capabilities on the digital battlefield to defend American networks and get ahead of emerging cyber threats.”
The latest DHS cybersecurity guidance, which was required under section 1912 of the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, does not establish any groundbreaking new strategies. However, it does suggest that the agency is asserting itself as the lead federal agency with respect to bolstering the country’s cyber defenses. It also confirms that DHS strongly believes that collaboration across the wider cybersecurity community, including with the federal government, state and local governments, industry, and the international community, is the best way to mitigate cyber threats.
According to DHS, its strategy is built around the following goals:
The DHS strategy places emphasis on encouraging non-government entities to report cyber incidents, and work with other incident responders to develop consistent processes for notifying potential victims. “Encouraging a culture of reporting, notification, and information sharing will increase the security and resilience of critical infrastructure, help prevent, counter, and disrupt illicit cyber actors, and enable the government to assess and potentially manage responses to incidents of unknown severity,” the strategy states.
Understandably, many businesses are wary about voluntarily sharing information with federal regulators. Accordingly, it is imperative that agencies like the DHS continue to update and fine-tune their cyber and data protection strategies, particularly with respect to preventing information provided by the private sector from being misused.
The DHS strategy also highlights that growing risks posed by the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud technology. More than 20 billion devices are expected to be connected to the Internet by 2020, according to the agency.
“The continued globalization of the information technology supply chain and shifting of information and services to a cloud or other shared infrastructure introduces additional risks. As Internet-connected and other new technologies rapidly proliferate, the number of attack vectors also increases,” DHS states. “Developers and manufacturers of many internet-of-things and other consumer devices are frequently motivated by speed to market rather than strong security. Even specialized technologies, like medical devices and industrial control systems, remain susceptible to compromise.”
To foster more secure and resilient technologies and networks and create a more defensible cyber ecosystem, DHS aims to:
For businesses, the DHS cyber guidance confirms that the federal government believes that the private sector plays a critical role in protecting the country’s infrastructure and other critical resources from cyber threats. Accordingly, it will continue to roll out best practices for the private sector and encourage their adoption.
Do you have any feedback, thoughts, reactions or comments concerning this topic? Feel free to leave a comment below for Fernando M. Pinguelo. If you have any questions about this post, please contact me or the Scarinci Hollenbeck attorney with whom you work at 201-806-3364. To learn more about data privacy and security, visit eWhiteHouse Watch – Where Technology, Politics, and Privacy Collide (http://ewhwblog.com).
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Secured transactions form the backbone of a wide range of business dealings, including business loans, mortgages, and inventory financing. Because the stakes are often high and relatively minor oversights can have drastic consequences, lenders and borrowers should thoroughly understand how to form an enforceable security agreement that protects their legal rights. What Is a Secured […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Cashing a check marked “paid in full” can be a risky endeavor, particularly if you don’t fully understanding the legal implications. If you are owed more than the amount of the check you accept and deposit, you may waive your right to collect the full disputed amount. That is why you should consider either rejecting […]
Author: Dan Brecher
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBBA) significantly impacts federal taxes, credits, and deductions. A key change relating to Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) allows greater tax-free gains for investments in startups and other qualifying small businesses. Company founders and other investors should understand how the enhanced tax strategy works or risk missing […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Corporate consolidation involves two or more businesses merging to become a single larger entity. The result is often a stronger and more competitive company that can better navigate today’s competitive marketplace. What Is Corporate Consolidation? Corporate consolidation closely resembles a basic merger transaction. The primary difference is that a consolidation creates an entirely new business […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Business law plays a critical role in nearly every aspect of running a successful enterprise, from negotiating a commercial lease to drafting employee policies to fulfilling corporate disclosure obligations. Understanding what is business law and your legal obligations can help your business run smoothly and build productive relationships with clients, business partners, regulators, and others. […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Corporate transactions can have significant implications for a corporation and its stakeholders. For deals to be successful, companies must act strategically to maximize value and minimize risk. It is also important to fully understand the legal and financial ramifications of corporate transactions, both in the near and long term. Understanding Corporate Transactions The term “corporate […]
Author: Dan Brecher
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!