US releases new cyber security strategy

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released a new cyber security strategy, citing evolving threats from cyberspace that the country is facing.

DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen told Congress in a hearing on Tuesday that "the strategy was built on the concepts of mitigating systemic risk and strengthening collective defence, both (of which) will inform our approach to defending US networks and supporting governments as well as the private sector in increasing the security of critical infrastructure", Xinhua news agency reported.

The 35-page paper listed the strategy's five pillars, focusing on identifying risks, reducing vulnerability, reducing threats, mitigating consequence and enabling cyber security outcomes.

The document painted an evolving landscape in the realm of cyberspace, saying that developing technology and growing threats from nation-states and terrorists to penetrate US infrastructure called for a new approach to the country's defence in cyber security.

According to statistics, the number of cyber incidents on federal systems reported to DHS increased more than 10-fold between 2006 and 2015.

After a 2017 directive from US President Trump, the Pentagon on May 4 elevated the US Cyber Command to the status of a unified combatant command.

--IANS

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