The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has recently launched its inaugural Roadmap for AI. This move is seen as a crucial step in the broader governmental effort to ensure the secure development and implementation of AI capabilities, aligning with President Biden’s recent Executive Order on responsible AI development.
According to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, “DHS has a broad leadership role in advancing the responsible use of AI, and this cybersecurity roadmap is one important element of our work.” He further emphasized the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to building a secure and resilient digital ecosystem that promotes innovation and technological progress.
Following the Executive Order, DHS is mandated to globally promote AI safety standards, safeguard US networks and critical infrastructure, and address risks associated with AI, including its potential use to create weapons of mass destruction. Mayorkas added, “CISA’s roadmap lays out the steps that the agency will take as part of our Department’s broader efforts to both leverage AI and mitigate its risks to our critical infrastructure and cyber defenses.”
CISA’s roadmap outlines five strategic lines of effort, providing a blueprint for concrete initiatives and a responsible approach to integrating AI into cybersecurity. These lines of effort include responsibly using AI to support the agency’s mission, assessing and assuring AI systems, protecting critical infrastructure from malicious use of AI, collaborating and communicating on key AI efforts, and expanding AI expertise in the workforce.
CISA Director Jen Easterly acknowledged the dual nature of AI, recognizing its promise in enhancing cybersecurity while also acknowledging the immense risks it poses. She commented, “Artificial Intelligence holds immense promise in enhancing our nation’s cybersecurity, but as the most powerful technology of our lifetimes, it also presents enormous risks.” Easterly emphasized that CISA’s roadmap focuses on promoting beneficial uses of AI, ensuring AI systems are protected from cyber-based threats, and deterring the malicious use of AI capabilities to threaten critical infrastructure.
Experts in the field have praised the roadmap for its comprehensive strategy and emphasis on security in AI system design and development. Joseph Thacker, an AI and security researcher at AppOmni, stated, “This is a step in the right direction. It shows the government is taking the potential threats and benefits of AI seriously.”
CISA invites stakeholders, partners, and the public to explore the Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence and gain insights into the strategic vision for AI technology and cybersecurity on their website.
In conclusion, the launch of DHS’s AI roadmap prioritizes cybersecurity and national safety. It demonstrates the government’s commitment to leveraging AI while mitigating its risks, promoting responsible use, and protecting critical infrastructure.
