Technology allows us to be increasingly efficient in our everyday lives by integrating more of the speed and connectivity of the Internet into our physical world. Whether it’s a thermostat, an automobile or a medical technology, these devices— and countless others — make up what is known as the Internet of Things (IoT). For all of the benefits IoT is bringing to business and our everyday lives, the plethora of newly connected devices is also opening the door to new and complex security problems that come with very real impacts that traverse both the virtual and physical worlds.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is leading cybersecurity research and development (R&D) on several fronts. From cyber physical systems, to mobile device security, software and more, S&T is working to equip our nation with novel tools, technologies and techniques to secure our future. A key element of creating solutions for some of the toughest threats we face is the ability to engage non-traditional cybersecurity experts across our nation.
This week, S&T will engage cybersecurity experts on two important cybersecurity topics – software assurance and IoT Security. The Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Software Assurance Industry Day, to be held in Washington, DC on December 8, will feature two published technical topic areas – Static Tool Analysis Modernization Project (STAMP) and Application Security Threat Attack Modeling (ASTAM). The ASTAM project is focused on creating a Unified Threat Management system that will allow cybersecurity professionals to monitor and manage a wide variety of security-related applications and infrastructure components through a single management console. The STAMP project aims to modernize software analysis tools to improve tool performance and coverage. Both software topics will develop cutting-edge capabilities to improve the software development lifecycle.
The Innovation Other Transaction Solicitation (OTS) Industry Day, released as part of the Department’s Silicon Valley presence, will be held in Silicon Valley on December 10. The event is focused on technology startups that can provide solutions to improve situational awareness and security measures for protecting IoT devices. The goal of the Innovation OTS event is to encourage companies that don’t typically work with the government to consider the Department as a viable customer for their technology. The program is intended for start-ups that are developing concepts for commercial application that have the potential to succeed as homeland security applications.
If you are a small business with a unique idea, engage with us! Cybersecurity is not just a government or a private industry challenge. It’s a far-reaching societal challenge. S&T wants to continue leading innovative R&D, and our partnership with the private sector is essential to our mission to strengthen the security of the nation.
Dr. Reginald Brothers
Under Secretary for Science and Technology