Private sector collaboration is beneficial on many fronts, but bringing the full might and resources of both the public and private sectors together to collaborate and share knowledge helps create a clearer picture of cyber threats and ways to mitigate risk. There are areas and aspects of cybersecurity where public sector organizations can learn from the private sector and vice-versa. The federal government has been active in prioritizing cybersecurity but can benefit from awareness and visibility into cyber risks provided by the private sector, while companies can benefit from advisories, resources, and notifications of pertinent threats from government agencies. Before examining how a dedicated cybersecurity marketplace could change how the public and private sectors work together, let’s explore some of their current collaborative efforts.
Public-Private Partnerships in Cybersecurity
With the private sector owning and operating most of the country’s critical infrastructure, partnerships between the public and private sectors that foster trust and effective coordination are imperative to maintaining critical infrastructure security and resilience. The federal government’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has emerged as a leader in cultivating partnerships and collaboration between the public and private sectors that further strengthen cybersecurity for all.
CISA has developed and implemented information-sharing programs, resources, and toolkits to help partners enhance their cybersecurity and threat resilience:
- The Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC) is CISA’s flagship collaborative effort—a diverse team of cyber defenders from worldwide, cross-industry organizations that proactively gathers, analyzes, and shares actionable cyber risk information.
Executive, industry, and government leaders also meet regularly across a collection of advisory councils and national committees to exchange information, coordinate risk reduction efforts, and address emerging security challenges.
- CISA’s Cyber Essentials Starter Kit, consistent with the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Cybersecurity Framework and other widely regarded standards, is a helpful guide designed to assist business and local government leaders with developing an actionable understanding of how to begin implementing organizational cybersecurity practices.
- The Cyber Essentials Toolkit includes modules breaking down the CISA Cyber Essentials into actions IT and C-suite leaders can take to implement a larger culture of cyber readiness.
- The CISA Cybersecurity Awareness Program Small Business Resources are tailored to small and midsize businesses, which often perilously don’t consider themselves targets for cyberattacks.
How Does the Cybersecurity Marketplace Impact Collaboration Between Public and Private Organizations?
Data sharing and exchanging information is a firm foundation for building a stronger cybersecurity posture and navigating the ever-evolving threat landscape in both the public and private sectors. A dedicated cybersecurity marketplace can take this collaboration to the next level, creating a more interconnected ecosystem when organizations and businesses in both sectors can also procure the partnerships or providers they need. While helping further their individual cyber readiness journeys, a one-stop cybersecurity marketplace has the potential to significantly change the way public and private sector organizations work together.
- Access to Specialized, Verified Expertise: A cybersecurity marketplace can provide a platform where organizations, both public and private, can access a wide range of specialized cybersecurity expertise from trusted providers. By offering services such as penetration testing, threat intelligence, incident response, and more through a marketplace, organizations can easily find and engage with experts with the specific skills they need.
- Cost-Effective Solutions: A marketplace can foster competition among cybersecurity providers, leading to more cost-effective solutions. Smaller organizations, in particular, can benefit from cost savings by being able to compare prices and choose services that fit their budgets.
- Rapid Response to Emerging Threats: Cyber threats constantly evolve, and organizations must remain vigilant. A dedicated marketplace can enable quick access to the latest threat intelligence and cybersecurity tools, helping public and private organizations respond rapidly to emerging threats and new vulnerabilities.
- Collaborative Research and Development: A marketplace could be a hub for collaborative research and development efforts between public and private organizations. For instance, government agencies can work with cybersecurity firms to develop innovative solutions for national security, and private sector companies can also partner with public organizations to address common cyber threats.
- Regulatory Compliance: Public sector organizations often have strict regulatory requirements for cybersecurity. A marketplace can help them identify and contract with providers who specialize in compliance with these regulations. Private sector organizations can also benefit from marketplace offerings that align with industry-specific compliance requirements.
Join What We’re Building at RAMPxchange
RAMPxchange is the cybersecurity marketplace facilitating impactful connections within and across both businesses and governments. It’s a central hub for public and private organizations to identify, connect with, and facilitate engagements with CSPs, IoT, and industrial control providers, cyber advisors and consultants, third-party assessment organizations, and more. Contact a RAMPxchange representative today to learn more about our unique marketplace and what it could mean to your organization’s cybersecurity journey.