Which agency is designated for partnership development in critical infrastructure?

The correct answer is CISA, which stands for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. CISA is specifically tasked with enhancing the security and resilience of the nation's critical infrastructure. Its mission includes fostering partnerships between government and private sector entities to ensure that critical infrastructure can withstand potential threats, improve preparedness, and respond effectively to incidents.

CISA plays a crucial role in coordinating efforts across various sectors, including energy, transportation, and communications, to share information, best practices, and resources. By engaging with stakeholders in these areas, CISA supports a collaborative approach to enhancing the security posture of critical infrastructure, making it more resilient against cyber threats and physical attacks.

Other agencies such as DHS, FEMA, and NIST have important roles in the broader landscape of national security and emergency management, but they do not focus specifically on partnership development for critical infrastructure in the same way that CISA does. For example, DHS oversees all aspects of homeland security and fosters interagency collaboration while FEMA primarily deals with disaster response and recovery. NIST provides standards and guidelines but is not directly responsible for developing partnerships related to critical infrastructure.