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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 @ NIST 

# Critical Software - Definition & Explanatory Material

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This section provides the definition of EO-critical software. Following that is a table with a preliminary list of software categories recommended for the initial phase along with some explanatory material. At a later date, CISA will provide the authoritative list of software categories that are within the scope of the definition and to be included in the initial phase of implementation. A pointer to that information will be provided here when available.

Finally, there is a set of FAQs at the bottom of the page that provides answers to questions that may arise about the interpretation of the definition, the phased approach, and other related topics.

***EO-critical software* is defined as any software that has, or has****direct software dependencies****upon, one or more components with at least one of these attributes:**
                  - is designed to run with elevated privilege or manage privileges;
                  - has direct or privileged access to networking or computing resources; 
                  - is designed to control access to data or operational technology;
                  - performs a function  **critical to trust** ; or,
                  - operates outside of normal trust boundaries with privileged access.

The definition applies to software of all forms (e.g., standalone software, software integral to specific devices or hardware components, cloud-based software) purchased for, or deployed in, production systems and used for operational purposes. Other use cases, such as software solely used for research or testing that is not deployed in production systems, are outside of the scope of this definition. (See FAQ #10 and FAQ #11.)

NIST recommends that the initial EO implementation phase focus on standalone, on-premises software that has security-critical functions or poses similar significant potential for harm if compromised. Subsequent phases may address other categories of software such as:
                  - software that controls access to data;
                  - cloud-based and hybrid software;
                  - software development tools such as code repository systems, development tools, testing software, integration software, packaging software, and deployment software;
                  - software components in boot-level firmware; or
                  - software components in operational technology (OT).

The table below provides a preliminary list of software categories considered to be EO-critical. This table is provided to illustrate the application of the definition of EO-critical software to the scope of the recommended initial implementation phase described above. As noted previously, CISA will provide the authoritative list of software categories at a later date.

**Previous Sections:**
                  - Introduction
                  - Background & Approach

**Next Sections:**
                  - FAQs

Information technologyCybersecurity

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