Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) Task Force

A supply chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The cyber threat from foreign adversaries, hackers, and criminals presents new and significant risks to government and industry. Constant, targeted, and well-funded attacks by malicious actors threaten government and industry alike by way of their contractors, sub-contractors, and suppliers at all tiers of the supply chain. Sophisticated threat actors exploit vulnerabilities deep in the information and communications technology (ICT) supply chain as a beachhead from which they can gain access to sensitive and proprietary information further along the chain.

The ICT Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) Task Force—sponsored by CISA’s National Risk Management Center (NRMC)—is the United States’ preeminent public-private supply chain risk management partnership, established in response to these realities and entrusted with the critical mission of identifying and developing consensus strategies that enhance ICT supply chain security.

Overview

From satellite connectivity to financial transactions, thousands of businesses, organizations, and governments rely on ICT to store information on, interact with, and deliver services to end-users. Additionally, ICT has helped transform the nation’s 16 critical infrastructure sectors into an interconnected ecosystem. In December 2018, the Department of Homeland Security established the ICT SCRM Task Force—a public-private partnership charged with  identifying challenges and developing actionable solutions to enhance global ICT supply chain resilience. Composed of federal government and industry representatives from across the Information Technology and Communications Sectors, the Task Force serves as the Agency’s center of gravity for supply chain risk management partnership activity.

While ICT products and services have allowed for a rapid and dramatic change in how we work, learn, and socialize, it also presents broad attack surfaces for adversaries to find innovative ways to potentially infiltrate, exploit, and/or corrupt equipment, systems, and information used every day by the government, industry, and private citizens. Recognizing the importance of securing ICT supply chains, on May 15, 2019, the Executive Order (E.O.) 13873 on Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain was signed into law. E.O. 13873 directs the federal government to strengthen efforts to prevent foreign adversaries from exploiting vulnerabilities in the ICT supply chain and protect the vast amount of sensitive information being stored in and communicated through ICT products and services.

CISA’s NRMC is well positioned to synchronize interagency ICT SCRM efforts across the Department and to build resilience by enhancing coordination and collaboration with the private sector through the ICT SCRM Task Force.

ICT SCRM Task Force Members

The ICT SCRM Task Force is composed of a diverse range of representatives from large and small private sector organizations within the Information Technology (IT) and Communications sectors and federal agencies. This includes subject matter experts, infrastructure owners and operators, and other key stakeholders who provide recommendations and guidance to help shape trusted supply chain practices.

Companies and organizations participating in the Task Force include: 

ICT SCRM Task Force in Action

In response to requirements in E.O. 13873, the ICT SCRM Task Force worked with industry and government partners to:

• Develop a standardized taxonomy of ICT elements (e.g., hardware, software, and services)
• Perform criticality assessments on these ICT elements with appropriate stakeholder input
• Assess the national security risks stemming from vulnerabilities in ICT hardware, software, and services including components enabling 5G communications.

These resources are provided "as is" for informational purposes only. The assessment methodology can be used as an input to a risk assessment, but, by itself, is not sufficient for a comprehensive review of risk.

• Paper on E.O. 13873 Response: Methodology for Assessing the Most Critical ICT and Services
• Frequently Asked Questions: DHS's ICT Methodology in Support of E.O. 13873 

Additionally, as new risks emerge—such as the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on the globalized model of supply chains—the Task Force will develop new resources (such as the Lessons Learned During The Covid-19 Pandemic Analysis Report) and assist with identifying new priorities and developing recommendations that businesses, organizations, and governments may adopt to increase the resilience of their supply chains, and as a result, also help strengthen national security, economic security, and public health and safety.

ICT SCRM Task Force Year 3 Activities

Over the course of the next several months, the Task Force’s efforts include the launch of a new Hardware Bill of Materials Working Group; continuation of two current working groups; and scoping of two additional efforts related to promoting software assurance and the utility of Software Bill of Materials.

• Hardware Bills of Materials Working Group which will identify appropriate information for a baseline hardware bill of materials template that can be used by organizations when procuring or deploying ICT products.

• Small and Medium-sized Businesses Working Group which will engage the small and medium-sized community to understand and tailor Task Force products to meet their needs

• Product Marketing Working Group, (formerly Product Use Acceleration), which will engage with stakeholders to ensure Task Force products provide useful and meaningful information.

ICT SCRM Resources and News

For ICT Supply Chain Task Force and other resources, visit the ICT Supply Chain Resource Library.

ICT SCRM News

• Blog Article –  April is National Supply Chain Integrity Month – Fortify The Chain! 
• Press Release – CISA and Partners Promote Call to Action During National Supply Chain Integrity Month 
• Joint Statement – Joint Statement by Secretaries Raimondo and Mayorkas on Assessment of Critical Supply Chains Supporting the Information and Communications Technology Industry | Homeland Security (dhs.gov)  
• Press Release – ICT Supply Chain Risk Management Task Force Announces New Members And Approves A New 2022 Working Group