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CISA Launches ‘CI Fortify’ to Help Critical Infrastructure Run for Weeks in Isolation

CISA is preparing operators for service continuity when outside connectivity proves unsafe.

Overview

  • CISA introduced CI Fortify and started pilot technical assessments with select, unnamed operators, with expansion planned as the agency hires more staff.
  • Isolation asks operators to cut operational technology off from business and third‑party networks to keep essential services running for weeks or months in a degraded state.
  • Recovery guidance calls for detailed system documentation, current backups, and regular rehearsals to restore components or shift to manual controls if needed.
  • The agency warned that state-backed groups, including China-linked Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon, threaten sectors like electricity, water, and internet service.
  • Industry experts praised the focus on continuity but cautioned that isolation alone falls short without strong segmentation, internal access control, and vendor risk management.