Full Report
The forthcoming National Cyber Strategy must aims to scale cyber disruptions of malicious threat actor activity, reduce friction points, and incentivize public-private collaboration that are essential to securing critical infrastructure and protecting American innovation. The trend line in international disruptions has been positive. We are seeing more disruptions, faster disruptions, and bolder disruptions. And with fewer friction points—both within government and between government and industry—these disruptions could have an even greater impact on the ransomware ecosystem and serve as a model for countering other threat actors, including nation states. Like many in the cyber community, I am eagerly awaiting a cyber strategy that leads to such an outcome, and stand ready and willing to assist in achieving its objectives.
Analysis Summary
# Main Topic
The strategic focus for the forthcoming National Cyber Strategy should be on scaling cyber disruptions against malicious threat actor activity, reducing friction points within and between government and industry, and incentivizing public-private collaboration to secure critical infrastructure and protect American innovation.
## Key Points
- The trend in international cyber disruptions against malicious actors is positive, characterized by increased speed, frequency, and boldness of actions.
- Reducing friction points in government operations and between government and industry is critical for maximizing the impact of these disruptions.
- Successfully scaling these disruptions could establish a model for countering other significant threat actors, including nation-states.
- The summary reflects an anticipation for a cyber strategy that prioritizes and achieves these disruptive outcomes.
## Threat Actors
- The strategy aims to counter various malicious threat actors.
- The effectiveness of scaled disruptions is also intended to serve as a model for countering nation-state actors.
- **Attribution/Specific Actors:** None identified in the provided context.
## TTPs
- The focus is on the *disruption* of threat actor activities, rather than specific TTPs used by the actors themselves.
- **Key TTPs (Desired Outcome):** Faster disruptions, bolder disruptions, and increased frequency of disruptions targeting malicious activity.
- **MITRE ATT&CK References:** None provided.
## Affected Systems
- The primary area of focus for protection is **Critical Infrastructure**.
- Protection of **American Innovation** systems is also a core objective.
- **Specific Victims/Targets:** None mentioned; the context is policy-focused rather than an incident report.
## Mitigations
- **Policy/Strategy Focus:**
- Scaling cyber disruptions against malicious actor activity.
- Reducing friction points (internal government and government-to-industry).
- Incentivizing robust public-private collaboration.
- **Specific Technical Fixes:** None detailed in this policy summary.
## Conclusion
The anticipated National Cyber Strategy signals a clear governmental intent toward proactive, scaled disruption of threat actor operations as the primary mechanism for enhancing cybersecurity for critical infrastructure. Success hinges on streamlining inter-agency and public-private coordination to eliminate operational friction.