The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has launched its first-ever International Strategic Plan for 2025-2026, marking a significant step in CISA’s efforts to secure U.S. critical infrastructure through international collaboration.
This plan builds on CISA’s 2023-2025 Strategic Plan and aligns closely with the National Security Memorandum on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience, highlighting the importance of global partnerships in safeguarding interconnected cyber and physical systems.
Strategic Plan for 2025-2026: A New Direction for Global Security and Resilience
The International Strategic Plan provides CISA with a structured approach to bolster U.S. national security through international engagement. It addresses how CISA will proactively work with global partners to secure the vital networks, assets, and infrastructure that support the U.S. economy, national security, and public safety.
This plan arrives at a critical time when the cyber and physical threats affecting infrastructure continue to grow in scale and complexity, requiring a unified, global response.
CISA Director Jen Easterly highlighted the importance of the plan, emphasizing how it will enable the agency to enhance coordination and strengthen partnerships around the world. She stated, “In following this plan, CISA will improve coordination with our partners and strengthen international relationships to reduce risk to the globally interconnected and interdependent cyber and physical infrastructure that Americans rely on every day.”
Key Goals of the International CISA’s Strategic Plan
To meet its mission, the International Strategic Plan outlines three primary goals that define CISA’s approach to safeguarding critical infrastructure:
- Bolster the Resilience of Foreign Infrastructure on Which the U.S. Depends: This goal aims to enhance the resilience of international infrastructure that impacts U.S. systems. By working directly with foreign partners, CISA seeks to mitigate risks that could disrupt critical operations at home, strengthening the U.S. defense posture on a global scale.
- Strengthen Integrated Cyber Defense: Recognizing the interconnected nature of today’s cyber threats, CISA aims to build a more unified defense strategy. This involves sharing expertise, technical resources, and best practices with international allies to develop a cohesive approach to cybersecurity. Such collaboration will better equip countries to face emerging threats and secure critical infrastructure together.
- Unify Agency Coordination of International Activities: This internal goal is focused on ensuring CISA operates as a cohesive unit in its international engagements. By fostering a “One CISA” approach, the agency can streamline international efforts, reduce overlap, and enhance the effectiveness of its partnerships.
Strategic Intent and Vision
At its core, CISA’s mission is to lead efforts that reduce risks to cyber and physical infrastructure across borders. The International Strategic Plan, therefore, commits CISA to shaping a more secure global environment that limits risks to critical dependencies. By setting conditions for success in areas of cooperation, competition, and conflict, CISA aims to solidify its role as a global leader in infrastructure protection.
Through this plan, CISA seeks to enhance both U.S. and global resilience by addressing infrastructure vulnerabilities abroad that could directly impact the United States. This focus on cross-border resilience is crucial in a world where disruptions in one country can have cascading effects on others.
The intent is not only to support American security interests but also to elevate security practices worldwide, strengthening alliances and preparing nations for future challenges.
A Coordinated Approach with Clear Alignment
The International Strategic Plan is carefully aligned with other key national directives and policies, including the National Security Strategy, National Cybersecurity Strategy, and the U.S. International Cyberspace and Digital Policy Strategy. Through this alignment, CISA will bolster international alliances, foster partnerships, and enhance cyber resilience globally.
Central to CISA’s strategy is the belief that no single organization can fully address the multifaceted cyber and physical threats impacting critical infrastructure. Thus, CISA’s approach focuses on deepening operational collaboration and pursuing mutually beneficial goals with international partners. The plan highlights the importance of coordinated U.S. government efforts to proactively engage international stakeholders in reducing risks to both U.S. and foreign assets.
A Roadmap for Long-Term International Cooperation
Through its International Strategic Plan, CISA intends to:
- Advance Homeland and National Security: Strengthen the resilience of U.S. infrastructure by preventing incidents and improving the physical and cyber security of critical assets worldwide.
- Enhance Threat Awareness and Detection: Promote the sharing of intelligence and resources to detect, deter, and disrupt emerging threats.
- Manage Systemic Risks: Address interdependencies in international infrastructure that could create cascading effects, thereby improving global risk management.
- Influence Global Standards and Policies: Play a central role in shaping international standards and best practices for cybersecurity, ensuring global alignment.
- Build International Capability: Assist partners in addressing capability gaps and bolster their incident response capabilities through technical support, shared expertise, and increased interagency collaboration.
The plan also highlights the importance of inter- and intra-agency collaboration to ensure a consistent, coordinated approach across CISA’s international initiatives. By doing so, the agency aims to synchronize complex international issues and streamline redundant systems that can hinder effectiveness.
Looking Ahead
The 2025-2026 International Strategic Plan reflects CISA’s commitment to adapting to the shifting landscape of cybersecurity and infrastructure protection. By leveraging partnerships, sharing resources, and enhancing global capabilities, CISA positions itself—and the nation—for a more resilient future.
This proactive approach not only strengthens CISA’s relationships with international allies but also prepares the agency to address the unforeseen challenges that are certain to arise in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.
