The Command Cyber Readiness Inspection (CCRI) was a comprehensive cybersecurity evaluation conducted by the United States Department of Defense (DoD). Its primary goal was to assess the cybersecurity posture of DoD Information Networks, with a focus on Command, Mission, Threat, and Vulnerability. By evaluating military commands, installations, and other DoD organizations, the CCRI aimed to safeguard critical data, networks, and assets. The inspection served to ensure that DoD information systems adhered to stringent cybersecurity standards and maintained resilience against potential threats and vulnerabilities.
In the past, the CCRI focused on identifying weaknesses and vulnerabilities, as well as ensuring compliance with DoD cybersecurity regulations. This included areas such as network security, hardening, configuration management, physical security, and overall information assurance. The goal was to identify gaps in cybersecurity practices, evaluate the organization’s adherence to DoD standards, and improve defenses across critical systems.
Transition to Cyber Operational Readiness Assessment (CORA)
As cybersecurity threats evolved and the landscape of the DoD’s information networks became more complex, the CCRI inspection underwent significant changes. To reflect this new approach, the inspection program was rebranded as the Cyber Operational Readiness Assessment (CORA) in March 2024. The shift from a traditional inspection to an operational readiness mission marked a broader evolution in the DoD’s efforts to continuously monitor, assess, and mitigate risks across its information networks.
The Cyber Operational Readiness Assessment (CORA) program was launched by the Joint Force Headquarters-Department of Defense Information Network (JFHQ-DODIN) after a nine-month pilot. CORA aims to validate current, future, and emerging technologies that help the DoD monitor and secure its cyber terrain, improving overall security and preparedness across the Department of Defense Information Network (DODIN).
Key Inspection Areas Under CORA
The core focus of both CCRI and CORA revolves around assessing the cybersecurity and operational readiness of DoD entities. While the program has evolved, the inspection areas remain critical in identifying vulnerabilities and improving the defense posture. These inspection areas include:
- Information Assurance (IA) and Cybersecurity: This area evaluates the organization’s cybersecurity practices, ensuring information systems and networks are protected and compliant with DoD cybersecurity policies. It includes an assessment of access controls, network security, vulnerability management, and overall adherence to best practices in cybersecurity.
- Computer Network Defense (CND): This area focuses on the organization’s capabilities to defend against cyber threats, attacks, and intrusions. The inspection assesses the organization’s incident response procedures, its ability to detect and mitigate cybersecurity incidents, and overall readiness to handle cyberattacks effectively.
- Information Management: This inspection area reviews the organization’s management of sensitive and classified information. It ensures that proper access controls are in place, data is appropriately classified, and systems are in place to prevent unauthorized access or data breaches.
Frequency of CORA Inspections
Under the new CORA framework, inspections are no longer scheduled on a fixed timeline. Instead, CORA will implement a risk-based approach to determine the frequency of assessments. This approach will take into account the mission-criticality of the organization, the current cybersecurity threats it faces, and the availability of resources for the assessment teams.
This risk-based model means that certain high-priority or high-risk organizations may undergo CORA evaluations multiple times a year, while others may not receive an inspection for several years. This is a departure from the traditional CCRI model, where inspections followed a more rigid schedule, typically occurring on an annual, biennial, or ad-hoc basis.
Scoring Criteria for CORA
One of the significant changes from the CCRI to CORA is the evolution of the scoring criteria. In the past, the CCRI used a pass/fail system, where a score of 70 or above was considered passing. However, with the introduction of CORA, the assessment criteria have shifted to a data-driven approach, incorporating intelligence and threat data, such as information from the MITRE ATT&CK framework, to evaluate the organization’s susceptibility to current and emerging cyber threats.
Rather than focusing purely on a numerical score, CORA now emphasizes risk mitigation efforts. Even in the presence of vulnerabilities, organizations that demonstrate progress in mitigating those risks are considered to be making valuable strides in improving their cybersecurity posture. This approach is designed to reflect a more nuanced understanding of cybersecurity resilience and provide a more comprehensive view of an organization’s readiness.
Conclusion
The transition from CCRI to CORA represents a significant shift in how the DoD evaluates its cybersecurity readiness. The new approach prioritizes continuous monitoring, risk-based assessments, and a focus on proactive defense strategies. By emphasizing the need to adapt to evolving threats and improving coordination across DoD entities, the Cyber Operational Readiness Assessment (CORA) program aims to strengthen the resilience and security of the Department of Defense’s information networks. As the program continues to evolve, it will play a crucial role in safeguarding the DoD’s critical data and infrastructure against the growing and dynamic landscape of cybersecurity threats.
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