This is the twenty-fifth in a series of Covington blogs on implementation of Executive Order 14028, “Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity,” issued by President Biden on May 12, 2021 (the “Cyber EO”).  The first blog summarized the Cyber EO’s key provisions and timelines, and the subsequent blogs described the actions taken by various government agencies to implement the Cyber EO from June 2021 through April 2023.  This blog describes key actions taken to implement the Cyber EO, as well as the U.S. National Cybersecurity Strategy, during May 2023. 

White House Releases U.S. National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology

At the beginning of the month, the White House released a new U.S. Government National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology (“CET”) to “prioritize efforts for standards development for a subset of CET that are essential for U.S. competitiveness and national security.”  The Standards Strategy identifies several critical areas related to cybersecurity as areas of focus for standards development, including communication and network technologies, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and quantum information technologies, among others.  The Standards Strategy is aligned around four objectives:

  • Investment – bolstering “support for R&D in CET and further increas[ing] investment in pre-standardization research.” 
  • Participation – working “closely with the private sector and academia to minimize gaps in coverage within [Standards Developing Organizations], work[ing] collectively to address challenges to accelerate standards development in CET, bolster[ing] private-sector participation, and ensur[ing] that the government plays an active – but appropriate – role in the private sector-led system.” 
  • Workforce – investing “in educating and training a cadre of professionals that can effectively contribute to and drive technical standards development.”
  • Integrity & Inclusivity – harnessing “the support of like-minded allies and partners to promote the integrity of the international standards system and work[ing] to ensure that international standards are established on the basis of technical merit and fair-processes.”

As noted in the White House’s fact sheet, the Standards Strategy aligns with the principles set forth in the National Cybersecurity Strategy to protect the integrity of standards development and promote US innovation.

Proposed Rules on Standardizing Cybersecurity Requirements Across the Executive Branch And Cyber Incident Reporting in Last Stage of Review

In the most recent Open Federal Acquisition Regulation (“FAR”) Cases Agenda, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council noted that two important FAR rules in the cybersecurity area were in their last stage of review.  Both of these are in response to sections 2(i) and 8(b) of the Cyber EO, and both are expected to be issued as proposed rules.  According to the FAR Agenda, on May 11, 2023, the draft rule was sent to the Office of Management and Budget’s (“OMB”) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (“OIRA”) for final review.

The first rule would amend the FAR to standardize common cybersecurity contractual requirements across all Executive agencies for unclassified information systems.  It is expected that the security controls in NIST Special Publication (“SP”) 800-171 (which currently applies to DoD procurements involving covered defense information) will be applied across the Executive Branch.  On May 10, NIST released a draft revision 3 of NIST SP 800-171 for comment. According to NIST, the changes include the following: 

  • updates to reflect changes in NIST SP 800-53, Revision 5 and the NIST SP 800-53B moderate control baseline, including new supply chain controls;
  • updates to tailoring criteria;
  • more specificity on how to implement security requirements;
  • addition of organization-defined parameters in selected security requirements to increase flexibility and help organizations better manage risk; and
  • a prototype CUI overlay.

The second rule proposes to amend the FAR to increase the sharing of information about cyber threats and incident information between the Government and certain providers in accordance with section 8(b) of the Cyber EO.  In addition, the rule would require certain contractors to report cyber incidents to the Federal Government to facilitate effective cyber incident response and remediation, pursuant to Department of Homeland Security recommendations in accordance with sections 2(g)(i) of the Cyber EO.

Tags: Cyber EO, Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Executive Order, Executive Order 14028, Information Technology, Technology
Print:
Email this postTweet this postLike this postShare this post on LinkedIn
Photo of Robert Huffman Robert Huffman

Bob Huffman represents defense, health care, and other companies in contract matters and in disputes with the federal government and other contractors. He focuses his practice on False Claims Act qui tam investigations and litigation, cybersecurity and supply chain security counseling and compliance…

Bob Huffman represents defense, health care, and other companies in contract matters and in disputes with the federal government and other contractors. He focuses his practice on False Claims Act qui tam investigations and litigation, cybersecurity and supply chain security counseling and compliance, contract claims and disputes, and intellectual property (IP) matters related to U.S. government contracts.

Bob has leading expertise advising companies that are defending against investigations, prosecutions, and civil suits alleging procurement fraud and false claims. He has represented clients in more than a dozen False Claims Act qui tam suits. He also represents clients in connection with parallel criminal proceedings and suspension and debarment.

Bob also regularly counsels clients on government contracting supply chain compliance issues, including cybersecurity, the Buy American Act/Trade Agreements Act (BAA/TAA), and counterfeit parts requirements. He also has extensive experience litigating contract and related issues before the Court of Federal Claims, the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, federal district courts, the Federal Circuit, and other federal appellate courts.

In addition, Bob advises government contractors on rules relating to IP, including government patent rights, technical data rights, rights in computer software, and the rules applicable to IP in the acquisition of commercial items and services. He handles IP matters involving government contracts, grants, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), and Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs).

Read more about Robert HuffmanEmail
Show more Show less
Photo of Susan B. Cassidy Susan B. Cassidy

Ms. Cassidy represents clients in the defense, intelligence, and information technologies sectors.  She works with clients to navigate the complex rules and regulations that govern federal procurement and her practice includes both counseling and litigation components.  Ms. Cassidy conducts internal investigations for government…

Ms. Cassidy represents clients in the defense, intelligence, and information technologies sectors.  She works with clients to navigate the complex rules and regulations that govern federal procurement and her practice includes both counseling and litigation components.  Ms. Cassidy conducts internal investigations for government contractors and represents her clients before the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), Inspectors General (IG), and the Department of Justice with regard to those investigations.  From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Cassidy served as in-house counsel at Northrop Grumman Corporation, one of the world’s largest defense contractors, supporting both defense and intelligence programs. Previously, Ms. Cassidy held an in-house position with Motorola Inc., leading a team of lawyers supporting sales of commercial communications products and services to US government defense and civilian agencies. Prior to going in-house, Ms. Cassidy was a litigation and government contracts partner in an international law firm headquartered in Washington, DC.

Read more about Susan B. CassidyEmail
Show more Show less
Photo of Ashden Fein Ashden Fein

Ashden Fein advises clients on cybersecurity and national security matters, including crisis management and incident response, risk management and governance, government and internal investigations, and regulatory compliance.

For cybersecurity matters, Mr. Fein counsels clients on preparing for and responding to cyber-based attacks, assessing…

Ashden Fein advises clients on cybersecurity and national security matters, including crisis management and incident response, risk management and governance, government and internal investigations, and regulatory compliance.

For cybersecurity matters, Mr. Fein counsels clients on preparing for and responding to cyber-based attacks, assessing security controls and practices for the protection of data and systems, developing and implementing cybersecurity risk management and governance programs, and complying with federal and state regulatory requirements. Mr. Fein frequently supports clients as the lead investigator and crisis manager for global cyber and data security incidents, including data breaches involving personal data, advanced persistent threats targeting intellectual property across industries, state-sponsored theft of sensitive U.S. government information, and destructive attacks.

Additionally, Mr. Fein assists clients from across industries with leading internal investigations and responding to government inquiries related to the U.S. national security. He also advises aerospace, defense, and intelligence contractors on security compliance under U.S. national security laws and regulations including, among others, the National Industrial Security Program (NISPOM), U.S. government cybersecurity regulations, and requirements related to supply chain security.

Before joining Covington, Mr. Fein served on active duty in the U.S. Army as a Military Intelligence officer and prosecutor specializing in cybercrime and national security investigations and prosecutions — to include serving as the lead trial lawyer in the prosecution of Private Chelsea (Bradley) Manning for the unlawful disclosure of classified information to Wikileaks.

Mr. Fein currently serves as a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Read more about Ashden FeinEmail
Show more Show less
Photo of Michael Wagner Michael Wagner

Mike Wagner helps government contractors navigate high-stakes enforcement matters and complex regulatory regimes.

Combining deep regulatory knowledge with extensive investigations experience, Mr. Wagner works closely with contractors across a range of industries to achieve the efficient resolution of regulatory enforcement actions and government…

Mike Wagner helps government contractors navigate high-stakes enforcement matters and complex regulatory regimes.

Combining deep regulatory knowledge with extensive investigations experience, Mr. Wagner works closely with contractors across a range of industries to achieve the efficient resolution of regulatory enforcement actions and government investigations, including False Claims Act cases. He has particular expertise representing individuals and companies in suspension and debarment proceedings, and he has successfully resolved numerous such matters at both the agency and district court level. He also routinely conducts internal investigations of potential compliance issues and advises clients on voluntary and mandatory disclosures to federal agencies.

In his contract disputes and advisory work, Mr. Wagner helps government contractors resolve complex issues arising at all stages of the public procurement process. As lead counsel, he has successfully litigated disputes at the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, and he regularly assists contractors in preparing and pursuing contract claims. In his counseling practice, Mr. Wagner advises clients on best practices for managing a host of compliance obligations, including domestic sourcing requirements under the Buy American Act and Trade Agreements Act, safeguarding and reporting requirements under cybersecurity regulations, and pricing obligations under the GSA Schedules program. And he routinely assists contractors in navigating issues and disputes that arise during negotiations over teaming agreements and subcontracts.

Read more about Michael WagnerEmail
Show more Show less
Photo of Ryan Burnette Ryan Burnette

Ryan Burnette advises clients on a range of issues related to government contracting. Mr. Burnette has particular experience with helping companies navigate mergers and acquisitions, FAR and DFARS compliance issues, public policy matters, government investigations, and issues involving government cost accounting and the…

Ryan Burnette advises clients on a range of issues related to government contracting. Mr. Burnette has particular experience with helping companies navigate mergers and acquisitions, FAR and DFARS compliance issues, public policy matters, government investigations, and issues involving government cost accounting and the Cost Accounting Standards.  Prior to joining Covington, Mr. Burnette served in the Office of Federal Procurement Policy in the Executive Office of the President, where he worked on government-wide contracting regulations and administrative actions affecting more than $400 billion dollars’ worth of goods and services each year.

Read more about Ryan BurnetteEmail
Show more Show less
Photo of Matthew Harden Matthew Harden

Matthew Harden is a litigation associate in the firm’s New York office and advises on a broad range of cybersecurity, data privacy, and national security matters, including cybersecurity incident response, cybersecurity and privacy compliance obligations, internal investigations, and regulatory inquiries.

Read more about Matthew HardenEmail