Version 3 of Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce outlines “essential workforces” per the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and CISA. It’s vital information for integration firms identifying their workforce options amid the COVID-19 crisis.
On April 17, 2020, the Federal Government’s U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an updated version of their “Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce Version 1” memorandum, which identifies essential workforces. The new version clarifies and expands critical infrastructure workers in several categories.
Download “Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce Version 3” now.
This is extremely relevant for integration firms as several states implement shelter-in-place policies to combat the spread of COVID-19. It’s important to understand which services are considered critical infrastructure and whether the guidelines indicate that they should be open for business.
Meanwhile, it’s important to understand that the “Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce Version 3” is not a mandate. Individual states are interpreting the guidelines in their own ways. NSCA has compiled a list of state-by-state resources to help integrators determine “essential services” across each state.
According to CISA, the most recent update on April 17, 2020, clarifies the description of a small number of essential services and functions on the list. “CISA continues to work with our partners in the critical infrastructure community to understand what’s needed to keep essential functions and services up and running,” says Christopher Krebs, CISA director in a press release.
“Based on feedback we received, we released version 3.0 of the Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce, which provides clarity around a range of positions needed to support the essential functions laid out in earlier versions. As new or evolving challenges emerge, we are looking at what kind of access, personal protective equipment, and other resources workers need to continue performing essential duties in a safe and healthy way.”
More on Version 3.0 of Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce via CISA’s press release:
Version 3.0 of the guidance clarifies and expands critical infrastructure workers in several categories and provides additional information as considerations for government and business. Several updates were made to the Healthcare/Public Health category, clarifying worker categories related to healthcare, public and environmental health, emergency medical services, and aligning related job functions. In all worker categories, references to “employees” or “contractors” were changed to “workers.” Other additions include:
- Updated language focused on sustained access and freedom of movement
- A reference to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance on safety for critical infrastructure workers
- Language noting the essential role of workers focused on information technology and operational technology
- Clearer guidance that sick workers should avoid the jobsite
- A reference to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Marine Safety Information Bulletin on essential maritime workers
- Clarified language to include vehicle manufacturers, judges and lawyers supporting the judicial system, agricultural jobs, and transportation-specific education
Download “Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce Version 3”