Which agency serves as the operational lead for critical infrastructure?

The agency that serves as the operational lead for critical infrastructure is the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This agency plays a crucial role in safeguarding the nation's critical infrastructure against various threats, including cyber attacks, physical attacks, and natural disasters. CISA facilitates collaboration between federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments alongside private sector partners to support risk management and resilience efforts.

CISA's focus on critical infrastructure encompasses essential services such as energy, transportation, and communication systems, which are vital to the functioning of society. It provides guidance, resources, and expertise to organizations to help them prepare for, respond to, and recover from incidents that could disrupt these critical services. This operational leadership establishes CISA as a central figure in national strategy and response efforts related to critical infrastructure security.

The other agencies mentioned, while they may have roles in related areas, do not have the same designated operational leadership for critical infrastructure as CISA does. For instance, the Environmental Protection Agency focuses primarily on environmental protection and public health, the Department of Commerce deals with economic growth and trade, and while the Department of Homeland Security oversees many aspects of national security, CISA specifically leads the critical infrastructure sector.