U.S. flag
        An official website of the United States government
          Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you know**Official websites use .gov**
              
              A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
        **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
              
              A **lock** (  A locked padlock
) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. https://www.nist.gov/itl/executive-order-improving-nations-cybersecurity/critical-software-definition
  Search NIST
    Search
              Menu

      


Close
    Topics
        All Topics
                                                        Advanced communications
                                                        Artificial intelligence
                                                        Bioscience
                                                        Buildings and construction
                                                        Chemistry
                                                        Climate
                                                        Cybersecurity
                                                        Electronics
                                                        EnergyEnvironment
                                                        Fire
                                                        Forensic science
                                                        Health
                                                        Information technology
                                                        Infrastructure
                                                        Manufacturing
                                                        Materials
                                                        Mathematics and statisticsMetrology
                                                        Nanotechnology
                                                        Neutron research
                                                        Performance excellence
                                                        Physics
                                                        Public safety
                                                        Resilience
                                                        Standards
                                                        Transportation
            Publications
            Labs & Major Programs
        Laboratories
                                Communications Technology Laboratory
                                  Engineering Laboratory
                                  Information Technology Laboratory
                                  Material Measurement Laboratory
                                  Physical Measurement LaboratoryUser Facilities
                                NIST Center for Neutron Research
                                  CNST NanoFab
                                                        Research Test Beds
                                                        Research Projects
                                                        Tools & InstrumentsMajor Programs
                                Baldrige Performance Excellence Program
                                  CHIPS for America Initiative
                                  Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
                                  Office of Advanced Manufacturing
                                  Special Programs Office
                                  Technology Partnerships Office
            Services & Resources
        Standards and Measurements
                                Calibration Services
                                  Laboratory Accreditation (NVLAP)
                                  Quality System
                                  Standard Reference Materials (SRMs)
                                  Standards.gov
                                  Time Services
                                  Office of Weights and MeasuresSoftware
                                                        Data
                                Chemistry WebBook
                                  National Vulnerability Database
                                  Physical Reference Data
                                  Standard Reference Data (SRD)
                                                        Storefront
                                                        License & PatentsComputer Security Resource Center (CSRC)
                                                        NIST Research Library
            News & Events
        News
                                                        Events
                                                        Blogs
                                                        Feature Stories
                                                        AwardsVideo Gallery
                                                        Image Gallery
                                                        Media Contacts
            About NIST
        About Us
                                Leadership
                                  Organization Structure
                                  Budget & Planning
                                                        Contact Us
                                                        Visit
                                                        Careers
                                Student programsWork with NIST
                                                        History
                                NIST Digital Archives
                                  NIST Museum
                                  NIST and the Nobel
                                                        Educational Resources
 
 Information Technology Laboratory
      Executive Order 14028,  Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity
    
      
  Software Supply Chain Security Guidance
                            Expand or Collapse
          Software Security in Supply Chains
                                              Expand or Collapse
                Guidance, Purpose, Scope, and Audience
                                  EO-Critical Software and Security Measures for EO-Critical Software
                                  Software Cybersecurity for Producers and Users
                                                                Expand or Collapse
                      Attesting to Conformity with Secure Software Development Practices
                                  Software Verification
                                  Evolving Standards, Tools, and Recommended Practices
                                                                Expand or Collapse
                      Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
                                              Enhanced Vendor Risk Assessments
                                              Open Source Software Controls
                                              Vulnerability Management
                                  Additional Existing Industry Standards, Tools, and Recommended Practices
                                  FAQs
                      Software Cybersecurity for Producers and Purchasers
                      Critical Software
                                              Expand or Collapse
                Critical Software Definition
                                                                Expand or Collapse
                      Introduction
                                              Background & Approach
                                              Definition & Explanatory Material
                                              FAQs
                                  Security Measures for Critical Software Use
                                                                Expand or Collapse
                      Introduction
                                              Purpose & Scope
                                              Security Measures for EO-Critical Software Use
                                              FAQs
                      Software Verification
                                              Expand or Collapse
                Introduction
                                  Background & Approach
                                  Recommended Minimum Standard for Vendor or Developer Verification of Code
                                  FAQs
          Cybersecurity Labeling for Consumers
                            Expand or Collapse
          Consumer Cybersecurity Labeling Pilots: The Approach and Contributions
                      Workshops on Cybersecurity Labeling of Consumer Products
                      IoT Product Criteria
                      Consumer Software Criteria
                      News & Updates
                      Engage
                      Resources
                      FAQs
          Workshops & Call for Papers
          News & Updates
          Engage
          Fact Sheet
          Resources
          FAQs
          Cybersecurity @ NISTCritical Software Definition

Share
  Facebook
                      Linkedin
                      Twitter
                      Email

**Critical Software: Enhancing the Security of the Software Supply Chain**

One of NIST’s assignments to enhance the security of the software supply chain called for by a May 12, 2021, Presidential Executive Order on Improving theNation’sCybersecurity (14028) is to publish a definition of “critical software.”

The executive order (EO) directs the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to develop a list of software categories and products in use or in the acquisition process which meet this definition of critical software.

To coordinate the definition with its eventual application, NIST solicited position papers from the community, hosted a virtual workshop to gather input, and consulted with CISA, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), and the National Security Agency (NSA) to develop the definition, the concept of a phased implementation, and a preliminary list of common categories of software that would fall within the scope for the initial phase. Additional guidance on applying this definition for implementing the EO will be forthcoming from CISA and OMB. NIST worked closely with CISA and OMB to ensure that the definition and recommendations are consistent with their plans.

Introduction
	Background & Approach
	Definition & Explanatory Material
	FAQs**The specific definition of critical software is included in aNIST white paper.**

 
      EO critical software timeline*Questions about the definition or documents*should be directed to: swsupplychain-eo [at] nist.gov(swsupplychain-eo[at]nist[dot]gov)
  Information technology and Cybersecurity

    
    Created June 24, 2021, Updated July 9, 2021
 HEADQUARTERS
            100 Bureau Drive
              Gaithersburg, MD 20899301-975-2000
            Webmaster | Contact Us | Our Other Offices
        Twitter
            
Facebook
            
LinkedIn
            
Instagram
            
YouTube
            
Giphy
            
RSS Feed
            
Mailing List
                              How are we doing? Feedback

  
  Site Privacy
                      Accessibility
                      Privacy Program
                      Copyrights
                      Vulnerability Disclosure
                      No Fear Act Policy
                      FOIA
                      Environmental Policy
                      Scientific Integrity
                      Information Quality Standards
                      Commerce.gov
                      Science.gov
                      USA.gov
                      Vote.gov