NCSI :: United States

21. United States 79.22

21st	National Cyber Security Index
1st	Global Cybersecurity Index
16th	ICT Development Index
4th	Networked Readiness Index

Population		323.9million
Area (km2)		9.6million
GDP per capita ($)		61.7thousand

NCSI FULFILMENT PERCENTAGE

NCSI DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE 3 years All data

RANKING TIMELINE

NCSI Update		Data source
11 Nov 2019		Public data collection

Version 11 Nov 2019

GENERAL CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

1. Cyber security policy development 7/7 100%

7
7 100%
- 1.1. Cyber security policy unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  A central government entity (ministry or equivalent) has a specialised official or unit responsible for national cyber security policy development.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.dhs.gov/office-policy
  
  Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans
  
  Assistant Secretary, Cyber Policy
  
  Deputy Assistant Secretary, Cyber Policy
- 1.2. Cyber security policy coordination format 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The central government has a committee, council, working group, etc. for national-level cyber security policy coordination.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/bureaus-and-offices-reporting-directly-to-the-secretary/office-of-the-coordinator-for-cyber-issues/
  
  Office of the Coordinator for Cyber Issues
  
  https://www.cisa.gov/
  
  CISA is responsible for protecting the Nation’s critical infrastructure from physical and cyber threats. This mission requires effective coordination and collaboration among a broad spectrum of government and private sector organizations.
- 1.3. Cyber security strategy 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The central government has established a national-level cyber security strategy or other equivalent document.
  Accepted references
  Valid official document
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/National-Cyber-Strategy.pdf
  
  National Cyber Strategy (2018)
  
  https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/DHS-Cybersecurity-Strategy_1.pdf
  
  US Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity Strategy (2018)
  
  https://media.defense.gov/2018/Sep/18/2002041658/-1/-1/1/CYBER_STRATEGY_SUMMARY_FINAL.PDF
  
  Department of Defense Cyber Strategy (2018)
- 1.4. Cyber security strategy implementation plan 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The central government has established an implementation plan to the national-level cyber security strategy or other equivalent document.
  Accepted references
  Valid official document or its enforcement act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=828605
  
  Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency: Strategic Intent
2. Cyber threat analysis and information 5/5 100%

5
5 100%
- 2.1. Cyber threats analysis unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  A central government entity has a national-level unit that is specialised in national strategic cyber threat situation analysis.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.dhs.gov/cisa/national-cybersecurity-communications-integration-center
  
  The National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center’s (NCCIC) mission is to reduce the risk of systemic cybersecurity and communications challenges in their role as the US' flagship cyber defense, incident response, and operational integration center. Since 2009, the NCCIC has served as a national hub for cyber and communications information, technical expertise, and operational integration, and by operating their 24/7 situational awareness, analysis, and incident response center.
- 2.2. Public cyber threat reports are published annually 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The public part of the national cyber threat situation analysis is published at least once a year.
  Accepted references
  Official public report
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.us-cert.gov/sites/default/files/publications/NCCIC_Year_in_Review_2017_Final.pdf
  
  NCCIC Yearly Review (2017)
  
  Additional cyber threat(s) reports available here.
- 2.3. Cyber safety and security website 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Public authorities provide at least one cyber safety and security website for cyber security and ICT professionals, and regular users.
  Accepted references
  Website
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.cyberwise.org
  
  https://www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect
3. Education and professional development 8/9 89%

8
9 89%
- 3.1. Cyber safety competencies in primary or secondary education 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Primary or secondary education curricula include cyber safety / computer safety competences.
  Accepted references
  Official curriculum or official report
  
  Evidence
- 3.2. Bachelor’s level cyber security programme 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is at least one cyber security / electronic information security focused programme at Bachelor’s or equivalent level.
  Accepted references
  Accredited study programme
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.atu.edu/catalog/undergraduate/colleges/applied_sciences/comp_info_sci/cybersecurity.php
  
  https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/bachelor-science-information-technology-cybersecurity
- 3.3. Master’s level cyber security programme 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is at least one cyber security / electronic information security focused programme at Master’s or equivalent level.
  Accepted references
  Accredited study programme
  
  Evidence
  
  http://catalogue.usc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=7&poid=6732&returnto=2081
  
  http://www.ini.cmu.edu/degrees/msis/index.html
  
  https://www.ecpi.edu/programs/cybersecurity-master-degree
- 3.4. PhD level cyber security programme 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is at least one cyber security / electronic information security focused programme at PhD or equivalent level.
  Accepted references
  Accredited study programme
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.uccs.edu/cs/academics/graduate-programs/phd-in-engineering-concentration-in-security
  
  http://cec.nova.edu/doctoral/dia/curriculum.html
  
  https://www.dfcsc.uri.edu/academics/phd
- 3.5. Cyber security professional association 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a professional association of cyber/electronic information security specialists, managers or auditors.
  Accepted references
  Website
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.isaca.org/about-isaca/Pages/default.aspx
4. Contribution to global cyber security 6/6 100%

6
6 100%
- 4.1. Convention on Cybercrime 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country has ratified the Convention on Cybercrime.
  Accepted references
  Official website of the convention
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list/-/conventions/treaty/185/signatures
- 4.2. Representation in international cooperation formats 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government is regularly represented in a cooperation format that is dedicated to international cyber security (e.g. FIRST).
  Accepted references
  Official website of the cooperation format
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.first.org/members/teams/#states
- 4.3. International cyber security organisation hosted by the country 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  A regional or international cyber security organisation is hosted by the country.
  Accepted references
  Organisation’s official website
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.m3aawg.org/about-m3aawg
- 4.4. Cyber security capacity building for other countries 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country has (co-)financed or (co-)organised at least one capacity building project for another country in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Official website or project document
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.sei.cmu.edu/news/article.cfm?assetid=496117&article=094&year=2017

BASELINE CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

5. Protection of digital services 1/5 20%

1
5 20%
- 5.1. Cyber security responsibility for digital service providers 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  According to legislation, digital service providers (except micro and small enterprises): (1) must manage cyber/ICT risks or (2) must implement established cyber/information security requirements.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 5.2. Cyber security standard for the public sector 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Public sector digital service providers must implement (1) cyber/ICT security requirements (defined by legislation) or (2) a widely recognised security standard.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/2521/text
  
  Sec. 3554 (a)
- 5.3. Competent supervisory authority 0
  
  0
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has a competent authority in the field of cyber/information security that has the power to supervise public and private digital service providers regarding the implementation of cyber/information security requirements.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
6. Protection of essential services 6/6 100%

6
6 100%
- 6.1. Operators of essential services are identified 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a legal act that allows to identify operators of essential services.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/02/12/presidential-policy-directive-critical-infrastructure-security-and-resil
  
  Roles and responsibilities for of Homeland Security include: 1) Identify and prioritize critical infrastructure, considering physical and cyber threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences
- 6.2. Cyber security requirements for operators of essential services 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  According to the legislation, operators of essential services must manage cyber/ICT risks.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://templatelab.com/cybersecurity-framework/
  
  Voluntary cybersecurity framework
  
  https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/02/12/presidential-policy-directive-critical-infrastructure-security-and-resil
- 6.3. Competent supervisory authority 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has a competent authority in the field of cyber/information security that has the power to supervise operators of essential services, regarding cyber/information security requirements.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/02/12/presidential-policy-directive-critical-infrastructure-security-and-resil
  
  Additional roles and responsibilities for the Secretary of Homeland Security include: 3) In coordination with SSAs and other Federal departments and agencies, provide analysis, expertise, and other technical assistance to critical infrastructure owners and operators and facilitate access to and exchange of information and intelligence necessary to strengthen the security and resilience of critical infrastructure; 4) Conduct comprehensive assessments of the vulnerabilities of the Nation's critical infrastructure in coordination with the SSAs and in collaboration with SLTT entities and critical infrastructure owners and operators; 5) Coordinate Federal Government responses to significant cyber or physical incidents affecting critical infrastructure consistent with statutory authorities; ** DHS functions include "c. Recommend security and resilience measures for critical infrastructure prior to, during, and after an event or incident; and d. Support incident management and restoration efforts related to critical infrastructure."
  
  https://www.dhs.gov/office-cyber-infrastructure-analysis
  
  https://www.dhs.gov/office-infrastructure-protection
- 6.4. Regular monitoring of security measures 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Operators of essential services must regularly (at least once every 3 years) provide evidence of the effective implementation of cyber/information security policies (e.g. audit result, documentation, specific report).
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/02/12/presidential-policy-directive-critical-infrastructure-security-and-resil
  
  Additional roles and responsibilities for the Secretary of Homeland Security include: 3) In coordination with SSAs and other Federal departments and agencies, provide analysis, expertise, and other technical assistance to critical infrastructure owners and operators and facilitate access to and exchange of information and intelligence necessary to strengthen the security and resilience of critical infrastructure; 4) Conduct comprehensive assessments of the vulnerabilities of the Nation's critical infrastructure in coordination with the SSAs and in collaboration with SLTT entities and critical infrastructure owners and operators; 5) Coordinate Federal Government responses to significant cyber or physical incidents affecting critical infrastructure consistent with statutory authorities; ** DHS functions include "c. Recommend security and resilience measures for critical infrastructure prior to, during, and after an event or incident; and d. Support incident management and restoration efforts related to critical infrastructure."
  
  https://www.dhs.gov/office-cyber-infrastructure-analysis
  
  https://www.dhs.gov/office-infrastructure-protection
7. E-identification and trust services 2/9 22%

2
9 22%
- 7.1. Unique persistent identifier 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government provides a unique persistent identifier to all citizens, residents, and legal entities. For example, the identifier remains the same after document expiration and name change.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 7.2. Requirements for cryptosystems 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Requirements for cryptosystems in the field of trust services are regulated.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 7.3. Electronic identification 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Electronic identification is regulated.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 7.4. Electronic signature 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  E-signature is regulated
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-106publ229/html/PLAW-106publ229.htm
  
  Both outline four main requirements for an electronic signature to be recognized as valid under U.S. law: Intent to sign, Consent to do business electronically, Association of signature with the record, and Record Retention
- 7.5. Timestamping 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Timestamping is regulated.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=769894
  
  Recommendation for Digital Signature Timeliness
- 7.6. Electronic registered delivery service 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Electronic registered delivery service between state entities, citizens and private sector entities is regulated. The service provides legally binding data exchange and guarantees the confidentiality and integrity of information.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 7.7. Competent supervisory authority 0
  
  0
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is an authority responsible for the supervision of qualified trust service providers.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
8. Protection of personal data 4/4 100%

4
4 100%
- 8.1. Personal data protection legislation 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a legal act for personal data protection.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  There is no single principal data protection legislation in the United States. A number of laws enacted on both the federal and state levels serve to protect the personal data of U.S. residents in specific cases and situations.
  
  Driver’s Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (DPPA) (18 U.S. Code § 2721 et seq.)
  
  Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) (15 U.S. Code § 6501)
  
  Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) (18 U.S. Code § 2710 et seq.)
  
  Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 (47 U.S. Code § 551)
  
  Gramm Leach Bliley Act (GLBA) (15 U.S. Code § 6802(a) et seq.)
  
  Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), as amended by Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act
  
  (FACTA) (15 U.S. Code § 1681)
  
  Health Information Portability and Accountability Act, as amended (HIPAA) (29 U.S. Code § 1181 et seq.)
  
  Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) (47 U.S. Code § 227)
  
  Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g)
- 8.2. Personal data protection authority 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is an independent public supervisory authority that is responsible for personal data protection.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/privacy-data-security-update-2018/2018-privacy-data-security-report-508.pdf
  
  The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) uses a variety of tools to protect consumers’ privacy and personal information. The FTC’s principal tool is to bring enforcement actions to stop law violations and require companies to take affirmative steps to remediate the unlawful behavior.
  
  In addition, other agencies regulate data protection through sector-specific laws.

INCIDENT AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT INDICATORS

9. Cyber incidents response 3/6 50%

3
6 50%
- 9.1. Cyber incidents response unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has a unit (CSIRT, CERT, CIRT, etc.) that is specialised in national-level cyber incident detection and response.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.us-cert.gov/about-us
  
  https://www.us-cert.gov/nccic
  
  https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/07/26/presidential-policy-directive-united-states-cyber-incident
  
  Section V
- 9.2. Reporting responsibility 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Digital service providers and operators of essential services have an obligation to notify appointed government authorities of cyber security incidents.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 9.3. Single point of contact for international coordination 0
  
  0
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has designated a single point of contact for international cyber security coordination.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
10. Cyber crisis management 4/5 80%

4
5 80%
- 10.1. Cyber crisis management plan 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has established a crisis management plan for large-scale cyber incidents.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.us-cert.gov/ncirp
  
  National Cyber Incident Response Plan (NCIRP)
- 10.2. National-level cyber crisis management exercise 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has conducted a national-level cyber crisis management exercise or a crisis management exercise with a cyber component in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.dhs.gov/cyber-storm
  
  Cyber Storm, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) biennial exercise series, provides the framework for the most extensive government-sponsored cybersecurity exercise of its kind. Congress mandated the Cyber Storm exercise series to strengthen cyber preparedness in the public and private sectors.
  
  https://www.nerc.com/pa/CI/CIPOutreach/Pages/GridEx.aspx
  
  NERC’s Grid Security Exercise (GridEx) is an opportunity for utilities to demonstrate how they would respond to and recover from simulated coordinated cyber and physical security threats and incidents, strengthen their crisis communications relationships, and provide input for lessons learned. The exercise is conducted every two years.
- 10.3. Participation in international cyber crisis exercises 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country's team has participated in an international cyber crisis management exercise in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.incibe-cert.es/en/international-cyberex-previous-editions
  
  CyberEx 2017
- 10.4. Operational support of volunteers in cyber crises 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The procedures for using volunteers in the field of cyber security are established by legislation.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
11. Fight against cybercrime 9/9 100%

9
9 100%
- 11.1. Cybercrimes are criminalised 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Cybercrimes are defined by legislation.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1030
  
  U.S. Code § 1030.Fraud and related activity in connection with computers
- 11.2. Cybercrime unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a government entity with a specific function of combatting cybercrime.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/cyber/national-cyber-investigative-joint-task-force
  
  National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force
- 11.3. Digital forensics unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a government entity with a specific function of digital forensics.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/forensics
  
  Cyber Forensics Working Group (CFWG)
- 11.4. 24/7 contact point for international cybercrime 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has designated an international 24/7 contact point for cybercrimes.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
  
  Internet Crime Complaint Center
  
  https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ccips
  
  Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) according to the COE
12. Military cyber operations 6/6 100%

6
6 100%
- 12.1. Cyber operations unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Military forces have a unit (cyber command, etc.) that is specialised in planning and conducting cyber operations.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.arcyber.army.mil/
  
  US Cyber Command
- 12.2. Cyber operations exercise 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Military forces have conducted a cyber operations exercise or an exercise with a cyber operations component in the country in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=96050
  
  https://www.army.mil/article/196050/cyber_protection_brigade_conducts_cyber_stakes_2017
- 12.3. Participation in international cyber exercises 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country's military team has participated in an international cyber operations exercise in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.arsouth.army.mil/news/Pages/Panamax-2018.aspx
  
  Panamax 2018 Information
  
  https://www.wired.com/2017/04/us-takes-world-natos-cyber-war-games/
  
  NATO's Cyber War Games

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21. United States 79.22

NCSI FULFILMENT PERCENTAGE

NCSI DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE 3 years All data

RANKING TIMELINE

Version 11 Nov 2019 Choose a version 11 Nov 2019 18 Feb 2019 8 Nov 2018 11 May 2018

GENERAL CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

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Evidence

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BASELINE CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

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INCIDENT AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT INDICATORS

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Version 11 Nov 2019