Cybersecurity Is a Top Priority and a Collective Effort

The Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) kicks off Cybersecurity Awareness Month with a look at some of our related research, development, testing, and evaluation work currently underway and the partnerships that make it all possible.

Strengthening our cybersecurity infrastructure and defending against malicious attacks requires vigilance, vision, and collaboration. S&T brings experts together across the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), academia, and industry, as well as our global counterparts, to tackle the mission from all sides. Because we, and our world, are stronger together.

Resiliency Platforms

We recently published a feature article on our work with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to design and develop a new Control Environment Laboratory Resource (CELR) platform to help the U.S. Coast Guard improve the cyber strength of our nation’s harbors. This is one of several CELR test environments; in fact, S&T and CISA are also currently working on a Port Resiliency and Security Testbed. This suite of analytical visualization tools, technologies, and data will enable waterway managers to protect our marine transportation systems more effectively from disasters.

S&T also recently launched a new Multi-cloud Analytic Prototyping and Lab Environment system for CISA. This testbed provides a secure environment where users can access various tools with a single login. It will support fast technology development and testing using scalable computing resources, storage, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI). The system will help CISA enhance our national infrastructure by advancing unique technologies (like cyber data analytics) and allowing for continuous innovation as threats and technology evolve.

Our Cyber Risk Frameworks and Tools project applies cyber risk frameworks to critical infrastructure. The tools will empower CISA to conduct more rigorous assessments in response to decision support requests and facilitate improved risk-informed investments, strategic guidance capabilities, and policymaking. These tools and technologies will also provide CISA analysts with information that improves their ability to conduct stabilization and restoration actions during emergency response operations.

Education and Training

In addition to these tools and testbeds, S&T also has several efforts underway aimed at ensuring that our current and next-generation workforce are prepared to combat emerging cyber threats. For instance, our Scientific Leadership Award (SLA) Grants competitively award up to $1 million to Minority Serving Institutions to help build institutional capacity through research and collaboration across private industry, university, federal and local government, and DHS Centers of Excellence (COE). One recent SLA grant was made to a research team at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, which developed a system of wheeled ground robots and flying drones capable of working together to search, patrol, and detect border threats. The cutting-edge vehicles are autonomous and incorporate the latest advances in machine learning and computer vision to maximize their adaptability, which allows them to intelligently navigate challenges without human operators having to constantly oversee and intervene. In addition to being a game-changer on the front lines, this project also advanced research, resulting in five publications and conference presentations, four student graduations, and helped students in the Rio Grande Valley secure jobs in the security and defense fields.

The Critical Infrastructure Resilience Institute (CIRI) COE is developing Internet of Things (IoT) cybersecurity training to inform law enforcement about the forensic and tactical considerations and benefits of IoT devices like cameras, doorbells, and other smart technologies. CIRI is also using National Institute of Standard and Technology cybersecurity frameworks to help eight first responder public safety answering points (PSAPs) establish and implement best practices that will enhance their cybersecurity readiness. Results of this pilot program will be used to implement similar practices in PSAPs nationwide.

The Criminal Investigations and Network Analysis (CINA) COE has developed an intelligence and evidence gathering from darknet environments training for law enforcement that will help them to evaluate online threats and crimes and collect evidence from darknet platforms. CINA also recently helped improve training programs for the U.S. Secret Service’s National Computer Forensics Institute by mapping courses against national standards and developing a pre-assessment tool to aid in trainee placements, and launched a two-year project to develop a virtual cyber range training facility for computer forensics training.​

International Cooperative Efforts

S&T is working with international partners to develop advanced cybersecurity technologies for various DHS agencies. One notable effort is our tracking digital asset transactions R&D project, a joint effort with our counterparts in the Republic of Korea. Through this project, our two countries are developing technology to track and prevent malicious financial activities like money laundering and financing of terrorist activities that may occur in the digital asset market, as well as conducting law enforcement analysis for the institutionalization of central bank digital currencies.

We are also collaborating with colleagues in Sweden to research, develop, and implement tools to harden our critical infrastructure against AI attacks both now and in the future.

S&T is working tirelessly to make cyberspace more secure today and tomorrow. Check out our social media accounts (@DHSSciTech), along with our Technologically Speaking Podcast for more news and updates throughout the month of October.