Securing Infrastructure: Overcoming Cyber Challenges with Emerging Technologies and Supply Chain Protection

Original Broadcast, October 1, 2024

Presented by Carahsoft

Alex Whitworth, Director of Sales at Carahsoft, discusses the critical need for cyber protection of infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on the Department of Defense's (DoD) significant role in safeguarding these systems. He highlights that one of the biggest challenges lies in securing industrial control systems and Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA), which are highly vulnerable and essential to the functioning of key infrastructure sectors. Whitworth notes the increasing investment in emerging technologies specifically designed to address these vulnerabilities, as they offer diverse capabilities for protecting critical systems. Another major area of focus is supply chain security, where initiatives like the DoD’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) are vital for bolstering the defense industrial base’s cyber resilience.

Key Takeaways:

1. Industrial control systems and SCADA are highly vulnerable components of critical infrastructure, making their protection essential for national security.
   
   
2. Initiatives like the DoD's CMMC are crucial for securing the supply chain and enhancing cyber protections within the defense industrial base.
   
   
3. New technologies are being developed and invested in to address infrastructure vulnerabilities, offering advanced capabilities to strengthen cyber defenses.