The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has awarded 418 Intelligence Corporation of Herndon, Virginia $350,000 to develop a forecasting platform that will help critical infrastructure owners and system operators share and keep abreast of the latest developments in cybersecurity protection.
The award was made through the S&T Cyber Security Division’s (CSD) Cyber Risk Economics (CYRIE) project.
CSD is part of the Homeland Security Advanced Projects Agency, a 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Government Excellence Award Winner in the ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program.
CYRIE supports measurement and modeling of the business, legal, technical and behavioral aspects of the economics of cyber-threats, vulnerabilities and controls.
- Its primary research focus is on investment, impact, value and incentives related to cybersecurity risk management.
- This focus will provide relevant, timely, accurate and comprehensive data to help shape effective policy, optimize cybersecurity risk management and advance understanding of the cyber-risk landscape.
- CYRIE’s goal is to improve value-based decision-making by those who own, operate, protect, and regulate the nation’s vital data assets and critical infrastructure.
- “Those who are charged with protecting critical infrastructure systems are better positioned to defend against cyberattacks if they have wider access to information about cybersecurity controls,” said CSD Director Douglas Maughan.
(Learn More. The Cyber Security Division’s mission is to enhance the security and resilience of the nation’s critical information infrastructure and the Internet by developing and delivering new technologies, tools and techniques; conducting and supporting technology transition; and leading and coordinating research and development. Courtesy of DHS Science and Technology Directorate and YouTube)
Through an effort titled “Benchmarking Cyber Threat Controls through Crowdsourcing,” the company will develop a prototype game-based, forecasting platform and user-experience that will engage participants in competition and mastery of the latest developments in cybersecurity.
Integrated in this platform will be advanced anonymous information-sharing capabilities designed to allow complete control over the digital rights to information.
The approach will engage stakeholders in a real-world, risk-oriented game experience where incentives based in a game economy will inform pragmatic benefits by prompting the exchange of high-value information about cybersecurity threats and controls.
Currently, this individual knowledge largely is stove-piped and hoarded, thus preventing better collective knowledge and actions to counter dynamic cyber-threats.
“This effort tackles longstanding cyber-risk challenges to understanding the efficacy of cybersecurity controls and incentivizing the socialization of that knowledge,” said CYRIE Program Manager Erin Kenneally.
“The novel approach aims to change how cyber-risk management and controls investment decisions are made.”
“It also demonstrates the advantage provided by community-informed reporting of the real-world controls effectiveness in attack scenarios.”
“This has direct relevance to cybersecurity defenders across the spectrum of the Homeland Security Enterprise and for transfer of risk via cyber insurance and risk control.”
(DHS uses amazing tools and talent to defend America’s Cyber Borders. Courtesy of DHS Science and Technology Directorate and YouTube)
CSD’s mission is to enhance the security and resilience of the nation’s critical information infrastructure and the internet by developing and delivering new technologies, tools and techniques to defend against cyberattacks.
The division conducts and supports technology transitions and leads and coordinates R&D among the R&D community, which includes DHS customers, government agencies, the private sector and international partners.
The 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science (DHS) and Technology Directorate (S&T) was recognized in November with four ‘ASTORS’ ‘Excellence in Homeland Security’ Platinum Awards by American Security Today (AST), at the ISC East Conference in New York City to honor organizations that are actively addressing today’s evolving Homeland Security challenges in innovative ways.
This awards program was organized by AST to recognize the most distinguished security vendors, as the nation continues to respond to escalating threats from home and abroad.
The innovative solutions being implemented to meet those threats has led to tremendous growth in the field of Homeland Security, and to this awards program for recognition of the key contributors to our nation’s security.
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Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T)
- Enhanced Dynamic Geo-Social Environ (EDGE) Virtual Online Training for First Responders Open at No Cost to All U.S. First Responders Agencies, Across Disciplines for Coordinated Response to Critical Incidents
- Excellence in Homeland Security
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Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T)
- Resilient Tunnel Plug (RTP) to Strengthen Mass Transportation Critical Infrastructure from Disruptive Flood Events
- Excellence in Homeland Security
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Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) First Responders Group (FRG)
- Flood Apex Program, Applying New & Emerging Technologies to Improve Community Resilience from Flood Disasters, Reduce Fatalities and Property Loss
- Excellence in Homeland Security
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Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects (HSARPA)
- Surface Transportation Explosives Threat Detection (STETD) on Developing the Capacity to Detect Potential Threat Items Throughout Rail and Subway Systems Without Alerting the Subject or Negatively Impacting the Speed of Travel
- Excellence in Homeland Security
Over 100 security professionals gathered from across North America and the Middle East to be honored from disciplines across the Security Industry in their respective fields which included:
- The Department of Homeland Security
- The Department of Justice
- The Security Exchange Commission
- State and Municipal Law Enforcement Agencies, and
- Leaders in Private Security
Recognized for their Innovative Training and Education Programs, Outstanding Product Development Achievements and Exciting New Technologies to address the growing Homeland Security Threats our Nation is facing.
American Security Today was formed after careful reflection of 9/11 and its aftermath when the Department of Homeland Security was established and there was an immediate explosion of new products and solutions for what was perceived as an imminent second attack on primary targets in the United States.
As time moved forward from 9/11 itself and in recent years, the threats to our nation have evolved from a large scale 9/11 type attack to:
- Domestic and International Terrorist Attacks carried out by ‘lone wolves’ and coordinated individuals
- Cybersecurity breach attacks against our government agencies, financial institutions and critical infrastructure facilities
- Unprecedented urban violence
- Cultural shifts and societal media bias, which make it increasingly difficult to secure our nation in this constantly evolving threat environment.
These current circumstances have put forward another rapid expansion of new ideas, products and solutions to combat these ever changing challenges.
These changes have called for a new generation of security experts in the Homeland Security and Public Safety fields who need real time knowledge of our ever growing threats.
These experts include the Government at the Federal, State and Local levels as well as from Private Firms specializing in Physical Security, Port Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security responsible for implementing coordinated security measures to ensure our Nation’s Security and improve Public Safety.
Together, each of these entities work together seamlessly on the front lines of protecting our communities, to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’
AST focuses on Homeland Security and Public Safety Breaking News, the Newest Initiatives and Hottest Technologies in Physical & IT Security, essential to meeting today’s growing security challenges.
To highlight the tremendous accomplishments of agencies and firms receiving this prestigious award, check out American Security Today’s 2017 December ‘ASTORS’ Champions Edition – ‘Year in Review.’
For more information about CSD, visit https://www.dhs.gov/cyber-research.
