Cyber Hard Problems: Focused Steps Toward a Resilient Digital Future (2025)
Chapter: Appendix A: Statement of Task
Visit
NAP.edu/10766
to get more information about this book, to buy it in print, or to
download it as a free PDF.
Previous Chapter:
Appendixes
A
Next Chapter: Appendix B: Briefings to the Committee
Suggested Citation:
"Appendix A: Statement of Task." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Cyber Hard Problems: Focused Steps Toward a Resilient Digital Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
doi: 10.17226/29056.
A
Statement of Task
A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine consensus study will identify key “hard problems” for cyber resiliency. The study will build on prior work sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security—a “Cyber Hard Problem List” first issued in 1995 by the now-sunsetted federal InfoSec Research Council and most recently updated in 2005.
The committee’s report will:
- Provide a current list of hard problems in cyber resiliency, building on earlier hard problems lists and expanding the scope from cybersecurity to cyber resilience;
- Describe the criteria and process used to select the hard problems;
- Assess impact and evolution of earlier hard problem lists including influence on cybersecurity research and development (R&D) investments and activities, progress toward solutions, and items added or removed over time; and
- Identify ways that the new list could be used to enhance community-wide coordination of R&D activities.
In addition to the consensus study report, a short dissemination product will be prepared that summarizes the list of hard problems.
Subscribe to Email from the National Academies
Keep up with all of the activities, publications, and events by subscribing to free updates by email.