White House Releases Guide to Improve BGP Security

The White House Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) has taken a significant step in enhancing the security of the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), a critical component of internet operations, by releasing a comprehensive guide aimed at addressing vulnerabilities within the BGP that have long posed a threat to internet traffic security.

With more than 70,000 independent networks relying on BGP to direct internet traffic between networks, the ONCD’s efforts are crucial in safeguarding the integrity of the internet. The guide advocates for the adoption of a Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) as a method to mitigate vulnerabilities within the BGP, providing actionable recommendations applicable to a wide range of networks including cloud providers, universities, internet service providers, energy companies, and government entities.

Experts such as Ari Schwartz, Coordinator of the Center for Cybersecurity Policy and Law, and Roger Grimes, Data-Driven Defense Evangelist at KnowBe4, have voiced support for the ONCD’s roadmap, emphasizing the importance of collective action in securing internet routing. They believe that the government’s initiative, while not perfect, represents a significant step forward in improving the security of BGP.

As the ONCD’s efforts continue to evolve, there is a shared sense of optimism among cybersecurity professionals that with collaboration across sectors and timely implementation of security measures, the internet’s core ecosystem can be strengthened, ensuring the protection of global networks from evolving cybersecurity threats.