November 16, 2018

President Trump signed into law the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act of 2018, establishing the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). As discussed below, CISA replaces and reorganizes what was previously the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD). The establishment of CISA is also intended to elevate the agency’s cybersecurity mission within DHS and streamline operations to help it better secure the nation’s critical infastructure. Chris Krebs, who was formerly the NPPD Undersecretary, now serves as the CISA Director. Learn more about CISA by reading a letter from Director Krebs, which has been posted below along with a CISA fact sheet. You can also read more here.

November 13, 2018

On November 13, the U.S. House of Representatives voted unanimously to pass legislation creating the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within the Department of Homeland Security. The CISA Act (H.R. 3359) passed the Senate in October and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. It would reorganize DHS’ National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), which currently includes the offices that contain the National Infrastructure Coordinating Center (NICC) and the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC), into a new agency and prioritize its mission as the federal leader for cyber and physical infrastructure security. “The CISA Act passing Congress represents real progress in the national effort to improve our collective efforts in cybersecurity,” said NPPD Under Secretary Christopher Krebs. “Elevating the cybersecurity mission within the Department of Homeland Security, streamlining our operations, and giving NPPD a name that reflects what it actually does will help better secure the nation’s critical infrastructure and cyber platforms.  The changes will also improve the Department’s ability to engage with industry and government stakeholders and recruit top cybersecurity talent.” DHS.