Page 41 - Cyber Defense eMagazine June 2024

A National Imperative - Cyber Resiliency

Strategies to Safeguard Critical Infrastructure Against Cyber Threats

By Andrea E. Davis, Founder and President of The Resiliency Initiative

I started my career in emergency management in 1999. At the time, the focus was on the collapse of the
world as we know it due to Y2K and computers not understanding the number 2. It seems rather silly
after all the impactful crises we have dealt with since then. However, the concern and focus on our
reliance on technology were justified. Fast forward 25 years, we are significantly more dependent on
technology. Our technological systems, which are the backbone of our critical infrastructure, are
increasingly vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

It feels like every day we wake up to the news of another cyber-attack, from pharmaceutical companies
to healthcare operations to multinational computer companies. The FBI estimates that US consumers
and businesses lost $12.5 billion to cybercrimes in 2023. The threats and the losses only keep increasing.

Earlier this year, FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before a House Select Committee on the
vulnerability of US critical infrastructure. Director Wray stated that there is a threat of attack, especially
from foreign actors, to sectors such as energy, water, transportation, communication, finance, and
healthcare. Critical infrastructure systems are increasingly digitized and connected to the internet, making
them vulnerable to ransomware, malware, phishing attacks, denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, and other
cyber disruptions.

Cyber Defense eMagazine – June 2024 Edition 41
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