WASHINGTON – Today the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced the formation of the Alliance of National Councils for Homeland Operational Resilience – Critical Infrastructure (ANCHOR-CI), a new advisory-body framework that will strengthen information sharing and broaden partnerships across government and industry to secure the nation’s critical infrastructure. ANCHOR-CI incorporates the best practices and lessons learned from the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council (CIPAC) and will expand meaningful, impactful engagement to a wider range of public-private critical infrastructure stakeholders to address threats in real time.
“The new and innovative ANCHOR-CI framework will be a game changer in how the public and private sectors collaborate and share information,” said Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “In a rapidly evolving threat environment, ANCHOR-CI will ensure we have the right people in the room working together to keep the critical infrastructure Americans rely on secure and resilient. This is just another example of the partnership needed to confront the threats of today and tomorrow.”
DHS and CISA built the framework, and CISA will manage the governance of the councils established under ANCHOR-CI, which will facilitate open and candid discussion of sensitive information among participants, strengthening collaboration amongst government and industry.
“As the national coordinator for critical infrastructure security and resilience, CISA is dedicated to actively engaging partners from the critical infrastructure community in every step of our work,” said Nick Andersen, CISA Acting Director. “This framework was developed to address the unique challenges our partners face, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met. By establishing ANCHOR-CI, CISA is not only fulfilling its core statutory mission but also strengthening our collective ability to safeguard the vital services Americans rely on every day.”
The ANCHOR-CI framework allows for the establishment of four types of councils – critical infrastructure sector councils, cross-sector councils, industry councils, and regional coordinating councils. These councils will welcome a broader perspective from across the private sector and provide strategic and actionable recommendations to ensure a coordinated national effort to strengthen and secure a more resilient critical infrastructure. ANCHOR-CI will innovate on the previous structure ensuring more stakeholders participate in our nation’s critical infrastructure resilience.
ANCHOR-CI will initially operate for two years and may be extended by the Secretary pursuant to Section 871 of the Homeland Security Act.
Visit cisa.gov/ANCHOR-CI to learn more about the charter.
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As the nation’s cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to manage, uncover, and reduce risk to our digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day.
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