The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently released its International Strategic Plan for FY2025-2026, representing its first formal roadmap to enhance global collaboration in cybersecurity. This forward-looking initiative emphasizes the growing importance of international partnerships to protect interconnected cyber and physical infrastructure amid escalating global threats.
Key Goals of the Strategic Plan
CISA’s plan is built around three strategic objectives to bolster global cybersecurity resilience:
- Strengthening Foreign Infrastructure Resilience
Recognizing the global interdependence of critical systems, CISA aims to work with international partners to fortify foreign infrastructure that indirectly impacts U.S. operations. Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and other disruptions have emphasized how vulnerabilities abroad can cascade into domestic challenges. By addressing these weaknesses proactively, CISA seeks to enhance global stability while safeguarding U.S. interests.
The key objectives for this goal include:
- Identify and prioritize foreign critical infrastructure on which the nation depends and bolster its security and resilience.
- Strengthen international partnerships that promote U.S. critical infrastructure priorities and interests abroad.
- Shape operational and technical global standards, regulations, policies, guidelines, and best practices to advance security.
- Enhancing Integrated Cyber Defense
To counter increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, CISA plans to foster a unified global defense framework. This involves sharing threat intelligence, best practices, and resources with allies to create a more robust collective defense system. Such collaborations will enable participating nations to respond more effectively to emerging threats, leveraging shared expertise and coordinated action.
The objectives under this goal include:
2.1 Enable cyber defense with partners to reduce collective risk.
2.2 Drive standards and security at scale to increase cyber safety.
2.3 Increase cyber and physical resilience capabilities of key partners.
- Optimizing Agency Coordination through the “One CISA” Approach
Internally, CISA aims to streamline its international efforts by aligning its various initiatives under a cohesive strategy. This approach reduces redundancy, enhances efficiency, and ensures consistency across global engagements. Integrating cybersecurity considerations into international trade agreements and promoting standard practices are examples of this initiative in action.
The objectives covered under this goal include:
3.1 Strengthen and institutionalize CISA’s governance of international activities.
3.2 Align and synchronize CISA’s international functions, capabilities, and resources.
3.3 Equip CISA’s workforce through training and education to promote CISA’s capabilities on the global stage.
Strategic Context and Vision
This plan builds upon CISA’s broader objectives as outlined in its 2023-2025 framework, aligning with the National Security Memorandum on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience. It comes at a time of growing cyber and physical threats that transcend borders, making international cooperation essential. Director Jen Easterly has highlighted the importance of this global effort, stating that these measures aim to reduce risks across the interconnected infrastructure on which daily life in the U.S. depends.
The Need for Global Collaboration
The complexity of modern cyber threats demands a collaborative global response. The interconnected nature of critical infrastructure means that vulnerabilities in one country can have cascading effects across borders. By fostering partnerships and sharing intelligence with international stakeholders, CISA aims to mitigate these risks and ensure the continuity of essential services.
Looking Ahead
CISA’s FY2025-2026 International Strategic Plan represents a forward-thinking approach to safeguarding critical systems in an era of escalating challenges. By prioritizing global partnerships and unified action, the agency is not only strengthening its defensive capabilities but also fostering a resilient international ecosystem.
CISA’s strategic plan underscores the necessity of a unified, proactive global response to evolving cyber threats, positioning the U.S. as a leader in fostering a resilient international cybersecurity ecosystem.
