What's Happening?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is in the final stages of establishing a new council to replace the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council (CIPAC), which was disbanded last year. The new body, named the Alliance of National Councils
for Homeland Operational Resilience (ANCHOR), aims to facilitate communication between industry and government on threats to U.S. critical infrastructure, including cyber threats. ANCHOR will serve as an umbrella organization for federal sector risk management agencies, aiming to streamline discussions and planning around infrastructure security. Unlike CIPAC, ANCHOR is expected to allow more public access to meetings and transcripts, although liability protections for discussions remain a point of negotiation.
Why It's Important?
The establishment of ANCHOR is significant as it seeks to restore a vital communication channel between the government and private sector, which was lost with the disbanding of CIPAC. This move is crucial for addressing the increasing cyber threats to U.S. infrastructure. The new council is expected to enhance collaboration and information sharing, which are essential for developing effective strategies to protect critical infrastructure. The potential for more open meetings could increase transparency and public trust, although the unresolved liability protections could impact the willingness of private companies to engage fully.
What's Next?
The DHS is expected to finalize the structure and regulations for ANCHOR soon, with the proposal ready for publication in the Federal Register. Industry stakeholders are likely to welcome the return of a formal advisory body, although they will be keenly watching how liability protections are handled. The outcome of these negotiations will influence the level of engagement and openness in future discussions between the government and private sector.
