Creating Industry-Specific Cybersecurity Policies to Address Risks in Critical Sectors Across North America

• Author(s): Sikirat Damilola Mustapha ; Abidemi Adeleye Alabi ; Gideon Opeyemi Babatunde ; Adebimpe Bolatito Ige
• Paper ID: 1704923
• Page: 722-741
• Published Date: 31-08-2023
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 7 Issue 2 August-2023

Abstract

The growing complexity of cybersecurity threats has underscored the need for tailored, industry-specific policies to mitigate risks in critical sectors across North America. As industries such as healthcare, energy, finance, and manufacturing become increasingly digitalized, they face unique cybersecurity challenges that require specialized approaches. This paper proposes a framework for creating industry-specific cybersecurity policies aimed at addressing the unique risks and vulnerabilities within critical sectors. The study emphasizes the importance of aligning policies with sector-specific regulations, operational requirements, and threat landscapes to enhance resilience against cyberattacks. The framework focuses on the identification of key risk factors for each critical sector, such as data breaches in healthcare, ransomware attacks in the energy sector, and fraud in financial services. It advocates for a risk-based approach to policy development, where policies are designed to prioritize and address the most pressing threats facing each sector. Additionally, the paper explores the role of industry collaboration, government regulations, and public-private partnerships in fostering a unified approach to cybersecurity across critical sectors. Key components of the proposed policies include establishing sector-specific cybersecurity standards, guidelines for incident response and recovery, threat intelligence sharing, and employee training programs. These components are aligned with national and international standards, such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001, to ensure consistency and regulatory compliance. The study also highlights the role of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, in detecting and mitigating sector-specific threats. By tailoring cybersecurity policies to the unique characteristics of each industry, the proposed framework aims to provide a robust approach to risk management, enhancing the protection of critical infrastructure across North America. The findings underscore the need for continuous policy adaptation to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats and ensure long-term security and resilience.

Keywords

Industry-Specific Cybersecurity Policies, Critical Sectors, North America, Risk Management, Healthcare, Energy, Finance, Manufacturing, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, ISO 27001, Threat Intelligence

Citations

IRE Journals:
Sikirat Damilola Mustapha , Abidemi Adeleye Alabi , Gideon Opeyemi Babatunde , Adebimpe Bolatito Ige "Creating Industry-Specific Cybersecurity Policies to Address Risks in Critical Sectors Across North America" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 7 Issue 2 2023 Page 722-741

IEEE:
Sikirat Damilola Mustapha , Abidemi Adeleye Alabi , Gideon Opeyemi Babatunde , Adebimpe Bolatito Ige "Creating Industry-Specific Cybersecurity Policies to Address Risks in Critical Sectors Across North America" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 7(2)