Federal CISO, CISA’s Eric Goldstein: Secure Software Development Form Introduced

TLDR:

• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a secure development attestation form for software companies.
• The form reinforces secure-by-design principles in software development as specified in the Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity.

Federal CISO Chris DeRusha and CISA’s Eric Goldstein introduced a secure software development attestation form that aims to ensure software producers prioritize secure principles in their organizational structure. The form, part of the government’s efforts to protect critical information systems, requires software companies to be transparent and accountable for security outcomes. By signing the attestation document, companies pledge to build their software defense goals into their foundation.

The release of this form aligns with the Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of secure-by-design principles in software development. This initiative reflects a collaborative effort between CISA and OMB to enhance cybersecurity practices within the software industry and uphold the government’s standards for secure software solutions.

Chris DeRusha, OMB federal chief information security officer, and Eric Goldstein, CISA’s executive assistant director for cybersecurity, believe that the secure software development attestation form will help ensure that government resources come from vendors who prioritize secure principles. This proactive step is crucial in safeguarding critical information systems and maintaining a high level of cybersecurity resilience in the digital landscape.

In conclusion, the introduction of this attestation form represents a significant milestone in reinforcing secure software development practices and fostering a culture of security consciousness within the software industry. By encouraging transparency, accountability, and a commitment to secure-by-design principles, the government aims to mitigate cyber risks and strengthen its cybersecurity posture in an increasingly digital world.