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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

February 4, 2021: Today, CISA is pleased to announce the six-month extension of the ICT SCRM Task Force, through July 2021. This extension will allow the working groups (WGs) to continue their work as outlined in the Year 2 Report, to include the release of the latest Threat Scenarios Report and other upcoming products. It will also allow for the operationalization of recommendations to build additional resilience into ICT supply chains, and ensure both government and industry members can continue to collaborate on other ongoing public-private engagement efforts on supply chain.

  • Download/share the Version 2 of the Threat Scenarios Report. Developed by the Task Force's Threat Evaluation WG, the original report was updated to include scenario-specific impacts, potential threat mitigating strategies, and SCRM controls. This report is a voluntary resource to provide government and industry officials in procurement decision-making with example-based guidance on supplier SCRM threat analysis and evaluation.

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, DHS established the ICT SCRM Task Force with representatives from the public and private sectors to identify challenges and develop workable solutions for managing risks to the global ICT supply chain.

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..

Since it’s establishment, the Task Force has launched several main work streams:

  • Developing recommendations for a common framework for the bi-directional sharing of SCRM threat information between government and industry
  • Identifying processes and criteria for threat-based evaluation of ICT supplies, products, and services
  • Identifying of market segment(s) and evaluation criteria for Qualified Bidder and Manufacturer List(s)
  • Producing policy recommendations to incentivize the purchase of ICT from original manufacturers or authorized resellers
  • Developing a SCRM assurance template for vendors
  • Evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on the ICT supply chain

Companies and organizations participating in the Task Force include:

Government

IT Sector

Communications Sector

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Accenture

AT&T

Federal Communications Commission

BSA

Charter Communications

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

CyberRx

Comcast

General Services Administration

Cybersecurity Coalition

CompTIA

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Cyxtera

Cox

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

Dell

CTIA

Pennsylvania Chief Information Security Officer

FireEye

Ericsson

U.S. Department of Commerce

General Dynamics Information Technology

iconectiv

U.S. Department of Defense

HP

Lumen

U.S. Department of Energy

IBM

National Association of Broadcasters

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Information Technology Information Sharing and Analysis Center

NCTA

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Information Technology Industry Council

NTT

U.S. Department of Justice

Intel

Pioneer

U.S. Department of the Treasury

Interos 

TIA

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Microsoft

T-Mobile

U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence

Palo Alto Networks

USTelecom

U.S. Social Security Administration

Samsung

Verizon Wireless

U.S. Department of State

Synopsys

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Threat Sketch

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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.

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.

Moving forward, the Task Force will partner with both government and industry partners to implement and create awareness around its recommendations. The Task Force will also consider launching new work streams to evaluate areas of supply chain risk. It will also continue to inventory existing industry and government supply chain initiatives which allows for information sharing and a more refined understanding of the current landscape. Overall, the Task Force will continue to drive unique solutions that enhance overall supply chain risk management security.

ICT SCRM Resources and News

ICT SCRM Latest News


For questions or comments, email ict_scrm_taskforce@hq.dhs.gov.

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