June 7 — The Biden administration’s assessment of the nation’s cyber preparedness has grown increasingly stark. According to the Biden administration’s top officials, more frequent cyber attacks are now part of the ‘new normal’ for US companies and for individuals.

Significant messaging shift

After more than a year of ransomware attacks pummeling US enterprises, schools, hospitals and governments and after months of warnings pertaining to European conflict-related threats, the country’s leadership is acknowledging the challenges of the situation.

“The prospect of cyberattacks here at home…will not dissipate anytime soon,” said the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Jen Easterly and and National Cyber Director Chris Inglis.

“Shields up” campaign

Starting in mid-February, the US launched a “shields up” awareness campaign in response to heightened fears around cyber aggression. This inspired a flurry of activity among cyber security professionals, who aimed to strengthen their organizations’ digital defenses.

No slowing down

At present, CISA acknowledges that the pace of cyber advances and cyber threats remain unlikely to slow down anytime soon. “In today’s complex, dynamic, and dangerous cyber threat environment, the answer is that our shields will likely be up for the foreseeable future,” leaders state in an op-ed.

Security in the spotlight

The recent words reflect a shift in how government agencies perceive cyber security. Just a few short years ago, cyber security represented a relatively minor interest of the US government. Now, cyber security drives policy at the White House, in Congress and within top companies.

Closing thoughts

Are there troubling signs that cyber risk in the United States could increase further?

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