Cyberattacks are on the rise, posing significant risks to organizations everywhere. To counter these threats, new laws to help manage this risk have emerged, creating a maze of regulations that businesses must navigate. This can be especially challenging for public sector organizations, where compliance with overlapping standards is critical.

This guide aims to help government agencies and public sector entities understand the importance of password and credential security in meeting these regulatory requirements. It outlines the legislative landscape at the state and federal levels and explains how threat intelligence, credential, and password screening solutions can help ensure compliance and reduce the risk of cyberattacks.

According to the latest Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), nearly one-third of breaches over the past decade resulted from credential abuse, with 50% of incidents in 2023 involving stolen or compromised credentials. Addressing this vulnerability is crucial to reducing attack risks and achieving regulatory compliance.

The Complex World of Cybersecurity Regulations for the Public Sector

Public sector organizations are prime targets for cybercriminals, who are now motivated by espionage, revenge, and disruption, in addition to financial gain. High-profile incidents, such as the ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline in 2021, which led to a $4.4 million ransom payment, underscore the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures.

Cyberattacks on public utilities, like the attempts to alter water treatment processes in Florida and Pennsylvania, highlight the serious stakes involved. These attacks exploited weak password security, emphasizing the importance of strengthening this area. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has stressed the need to address such vulnerabilities to protect critical infrastructure.

The financial impact of data breaches is substantial. Last year, the average cost of a breach in the U.S. was $9.48 million, a significant increase from $5.4 million in 2013. The escalating frequency and severity of cyberattacks, coupled with stricter regulations and hefty fines for non-compliance, make it imperative for public sector agencies to prioritize robust security measures and improve password hygiene.

Understanding the Risks of Password Compromise

The 2024 DBIR identified password compromises as the most common tactic used by cybercriminals. This trend is fueled by widespread password reuse, both for work and personal accounts. Surveys show that many employees and individuals reuse passwords across multiple accounts, creating significant security vulnerabilities. Once a single account is breached, the compromised credentials are often sold on the Dark Web, facilitating further attacks.

Traditional password management practices, such as time-based resets and enforcing algorithmic complexity, have proven ineffective. Frequent password changes often lead to weaker passwords, while complex requirements can result in predictable patterns. Modern guidelines from organizations like NIST recommend focusing on password exposure rather than complexity or periodic resets.

Real-Time Solutions for Dark Web Threats

The Dark Web serves as a bustling marketplace for stolen credentials, with new passwords appearing almost in real-time following data breaches. Static blacklists and traditional security measures are insufficient in this dynamic threat environment. Organizations must adopt real-time intelligence to stay ahead of password exposures and continuously adjust their credential security.

Enzoic offers proactive protection against password-based attacks by vetting credentials for exposure during creation and continuously thereafter. Its dynamic, real-time Dark Web database is regularly updated, enabling public sector entities to align their password security with the latest breach intelligence and comply more effectively with cybersecurity regulations.

Regulations You Need to Know

Federal Regulations: Government agencies must comply with various federal cybersecurity regulations:

• NIST Cybersecurity Framework: Mandated for federal agencies and required for certain contractors and state governments, it includes guidelines for secure password management, such as account management and updating compromised passwords.
• CMMC: The DoD requires defense contractors to implement a CMMC that covers access control, identification, and authentication.
• CISA: focuses on protecting critical infrastructure and recommends strong password practices.
• FISMA: Mandates federal agencies to implement security programs.
• CJIS: Managed by the FBI, it requires advanced password standards.

State Regulations: Public sector agencies also face state-specific regulations:

• NYDFS: Governs financial entities in New York and mandates NIST compliance. Enzoic ensures adherence by monitoring for credential exposure.
• CCPA: Enforces data protection for California residents. Enzoic helps comply with authentication security requirements by eliminating compromised credentials.
• DPDPA: Protects consumer privacy in Delaware, effective from 2025. Enzoic helps organizations maintain data security practices by continuously screening for exposed passwords.

Other states have similar laws governing breach notification and data security, adding to the compliance burden. Strengthening password security is a critical component of meeting these regulations.

Staying Ahead of Cyber Threats

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting the public sector, making it essential for government agencies to understand the risks and compliance requirements. Reducing the threat from compromised credentials, a primary cause of data breaches, is vital.

Enzoic offers automated solutions that identify and remediate weak or compromised credentials, protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access. Its dynamic threat intelligence platform addresses password security, minimizing breach risks and ensuring regulatory compliance. Download the full e-book, The Public Sector Compliance Playbook, to learn more.

*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from Blog | Enzoic authored by Enzoic. Read the original post at: https://www.enzoic.com/blog/public-sector-compliance/