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Community Corner

National Cybersecurity Framework — Can Standards of Best Practices Drive Organizational Decision-Making with Regards to Cybersecurity?




Critical systems–the majority of
which are owned and operated by the private sector–are increasingly vulnerable
to cyber attacks that could cause large-scale disruption or economic loss. Amid
Congress’ inability to pass comprehensive cybersecurity legislation, the
National Cybersecurity Framework published by the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) marks an important step forward in a national
effort to combat cybercrime and protect our critical infrastructure.



 



The blueprint for the Framework grew
out of President Obama’s Executive Order on “Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity,”
in which he directed NIST to work with various stakeholders to develop a
comprehensive approach to mitigate cyber risks to critical infrastructure.
Following a year of unprecedented stakeholder engagement—during which NIST
collected, evaluated, and incorporated feedback from more that 3,000 security
professionals and corporations—the Framework was published on February 12. The document outlines a set of voluntary standards,
guidelines, and best practices for cybersecurity. While the Framework offers a
meaningful step forward, many questions remain. How will the Framework look like once it is put into practice by
industry? How will the government support those who adopt the Framework? Will the
Department of Homeland Security offer resources and programs to help companies that
implement those guidelines? And
perhaps most critically, will the Framework improve national and economic
security?

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This March, the Pell Center will
host a panel of distinguished speakers who will address these and related issues–such
as whether framework
compliance could become mandatory for government contractors and other entities
that support the nation's critical infrastructure, and how Rhode Island state
agencies and regulators can use the Framework to help local businesses improve
their cybersecurity posture. Audience members will be encouraged to
contribute questions and provide industry perspectives to the discussion.
Seating is limited, and those interested in attending should RSVP to pellcenter@salve.edu or
401-341-2927.

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Please see below the full listing
of speakers and panelists.



 



Keynote
Speaker



The Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse – U.S. Senator, Rhode Island.



Panelists:



Adam Sedgewick – Senior Information Technology Policy Advisor,
NIST.



Michael Leking – Cyber Security Advisor-Region 1, Department of
Homeland Security.



Jamia McDonald – Executive Director, Rhode Island Emergency
Management Agency.



Moderator:



Candice Barry – Senior Coordinator & Intelligence Officer, RBS
Citizens Business Services.



 



Date:                     March 10, 2014



Time:                    8:30 a.m. Networking
Breakfast



                                9:00
– 10:30 a.m. Panel Discussion and Q&A



Place:                    Pell
Center – Young Building



                                518
Bellevue Avenue (intersection of Ruggles Avenue)



                                Newport,
RI



 

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