In a bid to bolster the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council) has proposed two significant cybersecurity rules. These new guidelines are an integral part of implementing key sections of President Biden’s May 2021 Executive Order No. 14028 on bolstering the nation’s cybersecurity.
The introduction of rule FAR Case No. 2021-0017 is particularly noteworthy. It outlines protocol and mandates for incident reporting and applies to all contractors utilizing information and communications technology systems in the execution of a government contract. Full details of the new rule can be explored in an analysis provided by Wiley Rein LLP on JD Supra.
The advent of these rules symbolizes a clear move by the Biden administration towards a stronger, more secure cybersecurity framework for government contractors. Legal professionals, corporate entities, and contractors working with the government must be ready to adapt to these changes in the landscape.
As we anticipate the final adoption of these measures, legal officers and corporate entities should prepare for compliance, bracing themselves to abide by more stringent cybersecurity requirements. These measures underline the U.S. government’s zero-tolerance approach towards lax cybersecurity standards and highlight the gravity of accountability in the new digital age.
Through these long-awaited cybersecurity policies, the FAR Council sets the course for a safer, more secure digital interaction between the government and its contractors. However, it remains to be seen how these new rules will influence and shape the broader landscape of national cybersecurity strategies.