The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act was designed to improve the nation’s cyber defences by encouraging private companies, federal agencies, and state and local governments to share cyber threat indicators. For SMEs, this Act creates better access to real-time threat data, improves incident response, and supports a more resilient cybersecurity ecosystem. It also provides legal protections to businesses sharing data in good faith. If you’re a small or medium-sized business, this matters more than you think.
The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act, also called the sharing act of 2015, is a bipartisan bill passed in the United States that promotes information sharing between the federal government and the private sector to strengthen the nation’s cyber defences.
It was created in response to rising cyber threats that could lead to serious economic harm or loss of protected health information and financial information. The idea is simple. If a business or agency detects a cybersecurity threat, it should be able to share that data with others: quickly, legally, and safely, so they can defend themselves too.
Although it’s a US law, it affects any nonfederal entities or private entities doing business with the US or working in sectors vulnerable to cyber incidents like finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure.
The Act encourages the public and private partners to share cybersecurity threat indicators and defensive measures in a timely and structured way. Here’s how it works in practice:
First, it enables private companies to share cybersecurity information directly with the Department of Homeland Security, which filters and distributes it to other federal agencies and partners through systems like Automated Indicator Sharing.
Second, it includes legal protections to cover any company sharing threat indicators in good faith. This means you won’t face lawsuits for sharing relevant threat information, provided it’s for a cybersecurity purpose and personal data is removed.
Third, it gives guidelines for stripping out private information and privacy protections to ensure sensitive personal or identifiable data is not wrongly shared.
Fourth, it sets rules around how government agencies and private entities can use this information. It should only be for cybersecurity, national security, or preventing economic harm.
And finally, it establishes cooperation through the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative, a government-led initiative to coordinate response to ongoing cybersecurity threats with critical infrastructure sectors and industry leaders.
The more we share about cyber threats, the faster we can stop them. The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act helps create a more responsive and unified cybersecurity ecosystem. It means that if one company detects a new type of malicious IP address or attack vector, others can defend themselves before they’re hit.
It also ensures that critical infrastructure owners, local governments, and cyber defenders are not working in silos. Instead, they’re collaborating through analysis centers and government-led frameworks.
This improves visibility across the entire threat landscape, giving you and your IT support team a head start when dealing with software vulnerabilities, suspected cybersecurity threats, or information that’s been exfiltrated.
When cyber threat information flows freely but securely, it raises the bar for everyone involved in defence.
You might think this only applies to large corporations or national security bodies. But the reality is that SMEs are often the weakest link in the chain. You’re more likely to be targeted by attackers because your defences are easier to bypass.
For SMEs, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act opens a door to better awareness, stronger defences, and early warnings. It helps your IT team or provider access data that would otherwise only be available to large government agencies or corporations.
You can benefit from shared cyber threat indicators and defensive measures shared by others in your industry. This includes things like new phishing tactics, ransomware domains, or security vulnerability alerts relevant to your systems.
And because the Act is built with privacy concerns in mind, you don’t have to worry about your bank statements, credit reports, or private information being exposed.
Essentially, this is about encouraging companies, big and small, to contribute to a collaborative environment where everyone is better off.
Although the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act has played a key role in building cooperation across sectors, its future is uncertain. The Act is currently set to expire on 30 September 2025, unless reauthorised by the U.S. Congress.
This is known as a “sunset clause,” a built-in expiry that forces lawmakers to revisit and reassess the Act’s effectiveness. With the global cyber threat landscape evolving quickly, many experts believe the law should be updated to reflect modern challenges, including ransomware, software vulnerabilities, and threats to critical infrastructure.
That said, whether or not the Act is extended in its current form, the core principle of information sharing between private entities, government agencies, and cyber defenders is here to stay. For businesses, especially SMEs, this means continuing to build strong, flexible cybersecurity ecosystems that are ready to respond quickly to cybersecurity threat indicators, wherever they come from.
At Labyrinth Technology, we know cybersecurity isn’t just about firewalls and backups, it’s also about staying compliant with evolving regulations, whether local or international.
SMEs today face increasing pressure to demonstrate due diligence, meet industry standards, and follow guidance from regulatory bodies and government agencies. That can be overwhelming, especially when guidance changes or new frameworks are introduced.
Our role is to help you cut through the confusion. We track developments in cybersecurity legislation, industry guidance, and best practice so you don’t have to. Whether you’re navigating data protection requirements, securing your systems to align with regulatory expectations, or responding to a suspected cybersecurity threat, we’re here to support you.
We work closely with your team to assess risks, implement effective defensive measures, and ensure your approach to cybersecurity is proportionate, practical, and resilient.
As threats become more sophisticated and regulations continue to evolve, the idea of working in isolation no longer works. The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act may be a US law, but its message applies globally, especially to SMEs.
Being informed, proactive, and ready to act on cybersecurity threat indicators is no longer optional. Whether through formal information-sharing channels or by aligning with best practice, taking part in the broader cybersecurity conversation helps keep your business safer.
At Labyrinth Technology, we believe that the best defence is a connected one. That means working together, staying current, and making smart decisions about how you protect your data, people, and reputation.
If you’re ready to take your next step toward stronger cybersecurity, get in touch with us today.
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