Websites using Cisa

Okay, let s break down CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) covering its overview, revenue, alternatives (sort of), pricing (which isn t directly applicable), and customer care (or rather, its engagement/support methods).

1. Overview of CISA

• What it is: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is a U.S. federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It was established in 2018.
• Mission: CISA s mission is to protect the nation s critical infrastructure from physical and cyber threats. This encompasses a wide range of sectors, including:
  • Government facilities
  • Communications
  • Energy
  • Financial services
  • Transportation
  • Water and wastewater systems
  • Healthcare
  • Critical Manufacturing
  • Chemical Sector
  • Defense Industrial Base
  • Emergency Services
  • Food and Agriculture
  • Information Technology
  • Nuclear Reactors, Materials and Waste
  • Commercial Facilities
• Key Functions:
  • Cybersecurity: CISA provides cybersecurity expertise, incident response, and threat information to government and private sector partners. This includes vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and incident response assistance.
  • Infrastructure Security: CISA works to secure physical infrastructure by assessing vulnerabilities, providing protective security advice, and coordinating security efforts.
  • Risk Management: CISA helps organizations identify, assess, and manage cybersecurity and infrastructure risks.
  • Information Sharing: CISA serves as a central hub for sharing cybersecurity and infrastructure security information between government, the private sector, and international partners.
  • Training and Education: CISA offers training and educational resources to improve cybersecurity and infrastructure security skills.

2. Revenue

• Not Applicable: CISA is a government agency, not a commercial entity. It doesn t generate revenue in the traditional sense. Its operations are funded by Congressional appropriations (i.e., taxpayer dollars). Its budget fluctuates annually. You can find details of CISA s budget in the DHS budget documents released each year. For example, you might search for DHS budget CISA to find the latest information.

3. Alternatives

• It s not really accurate to talk about alternatives to CISA in the same way you would for a commercial product. CISA has a unique mandate and role in the US government. However, there are other organizations (both governmental and private) that provide similar types of services, or that partner with CISA. Consider these:

  • Other Government Agencies:
    • FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation): Focuses on investigating cybercrime and national security threats. CISA often works with the FBI on incident response and threat intelligence.
    • NSA (National Security Agency): Focuses on signals intelligence and cybersecurity. CISA and the NSA also collaborate.
    • DOD (Department of Defense): Specifically, USCYBERCOM (United States Cyber Command) focuses on military cyber operations.
    • NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology): Develops cybersecurity standards and best practices, which CISA often promotes and implements.
    • Sector-Specific Agencies: For example, the Department of Energy has specific responsibilities for securing the energy sector.
  • Private Sector Cybersecurity Companies:
    • These companies offer a wide range of cybersecurity services, including:
      • Managed Security Services (MSSPs)
      • Incident Response
      • Penetration Testing
      • Vulnerability Management
      • Threat Intelligence
      • Security Awareness Training
    • Examples: CrowdStrike, Mandiant (now part of Google Cloud), Palo Alto Networks, Rapid7, etc. These aren t alternatives to CISA, but organizations often use them in conjunction with CISA s resources.
  • Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs):
    • These are non-profit organizations that facilitate information sharing within specific critical infrastructure sectors. Examples include the Electricity ISAC, the Financial Services ISAC (FS-ISAC), and the Multi-State ISAC (MS-ISAC). CISA actively works with ISACs.

In essence, CISA is a central coordinating body, and organizations often leverage other resources in addition to, or in conjunction with, CISA s services.

4. Pricing

• Not Applicable: CISA s services are generally provided free of charge to government agencies, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and other partners. The cost is borne by the US taxpayer through the agency s budget. Training resources and information are also typically offered without direct cost.

5. Customer Care/Engagement Details

• How CISA Engages with Stakeholders: CISA doesn t offer customer care in the traditional sense. Instead, it focuses on engagement, collaboration, and information dissemination. Key methods include:

  • Website (cisa.gov): The primary source of information, including alerts, advisories, best practices, training materials, and resources.
  • Cybersecurity Advisories and Alerts: CISA issues alerts and advisories to warn organizations about emerging threats and vulnerabilities. You can subscribe to these alerts.
  • Information Sharing Platforms: CISA uses various platforms to share threat intelligence and security information with partners. This often involves secure portals and communication channels.
  • Training Programs: CISA offers a variety of training programs for cybersecurity professionals and others involved in critical infrastructure security. These may be online or in-person.
  • Partnerships and Collaboration: CISA works closely with government agencies, private sector organizations, and international partners to improve cybersecurity and infrastructure security.
  • Regional Offices: CISA has regional offices across the country to provide local support and assistance.
  • Cybersecurity Assessments: CISA offers cybersecurity assessments to help organizations identify vulnerabilities and improve their security posture.
  • Incident Response Assistance: CISA provides incident response assistance to organizations that have been affected by cyberattacks. This includes technical support, threat intelligence, and coordination with law enforcement.
  • Contact Forms and Email Addresses: CISA provides contact forms and email addresses on its website for specific inquiries (e.g., reporting incidents, requesting assistance).
  • Social Media: CISA uses social media platforms (e.g., Twitter, LinkedIn) to share information and updates.

• Specific Resources:

  • Report an Incident: Instructions are on the CISA website.
  • Contact CISA: Find relevant contact information on the Contact Us page of the CISA website.
  • Subscribe to Updates: Sign up for email alerts and newsletters from CISA.

Key Takeaways:

• CISA is a critical agency for U.S. cybersecurity and infrastructure security.
• It is funded by the government and provides services without direct cost to its partners.
• It doesn t have alternatives in the traditional commercial sense, but organizations use CISA s resources alongside other government and private sector services.
• CISA engages with stakeholders through information sharing, training, partnerships, and incident response assistance. The CISA website (cisa.gov) is the best place to find up-to-date information and resources.