Cybersecurity Homeland Security

While most aspects of computer security involve digital measures such as electronic passwords and encryption, physical security measures such as metal locks are still used to prevent unauthorized tampering. Critical data includes word processing documents, electronic spreadsheets, databases, financial files, human resources files, and accounts receivable/payable files. Backup data automatically if possible, or at least weekly and store the copies either offsite or in the cloud. The good news is that the importance of Cybersecurity has been steadily increasing over the years to the point where executives outside of the IT department are taking notice and setting priority. In fact, International Data Corporation predicts that global spending on security will hit $103.1 billion in 2019, then grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.2% through 2022, eventually reaching $133.8 billion.

The growing volume and sophistication of cyber attackers and attack techniques compound the problem even further. Cybersecurity is the practice of deploying people, policies, processes and technologies to protect organizations, their critical systems and sensitive information from digital attacks. Periodically, Lockheed Martin will provide supplier briefings which are information sharing sessions where we discuss cybersecurity threats, cybersecurity best practices, and how to better manage risk. These sessions are collaborative in nature and are helpful in introducing suppliers to organizations and teams that can provide ongoing threat and risk management information. Cybersecurity is a fast-growing field of IT concerned with reducing organizations' risk of hack or data breaches. According to research from the Enterprise Strategy Group, 46% of organizations say that they have a "problematic shortage" of cybersecurity skills in 2016, up from 28% in 2015.

Cybersecurity is becoming an increasingly central facet of national security strategy. Within this realm, CSIS’s work covers cyber warfare, encryption, military cyber capacity, hacking, financial terrorism, and more. Our programs leading the research on this topic include the Strategic Technologies Program and the International Security Program. Pursuing a comprehensive national cybersecurity strategy that accounts for security threats, while respecting privacy and civil liberties. The Center’s mission is to secure the Defense Industrial Base against threats from malicious cyber actors. To quickly improve cybersecurity at scale, NSA is leveraging Protective Domain Name System Services as a low-cost, high impact service that protects critical DIB endpoints from resolving queries to potentially malicious websites.

Coast Guard’s Strategic Outlook to protect and operate in cyberspace, an inherently international effort. Most of the cybercrime investigations that the Secret Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations pursue every day also include a transnational dimension that requires cooperation with law enforcement partners around the globe. This sprint is driven by the White House Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity Initiative, designed to mobilize action to improve the resilience of industrial control systems. The attempted cyber-attack on a water treatment facility in Florida in early 2021 as well as the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack were powerful reminders of the substantial risks that need to be addressed. The second sprint focuses on building a more robust and a more diverse cybersecurity workforce. DHS cannot tackle ransomware and the broader cybersecurity challenges without talented and dedicated people who can help protect the Nation's schools, hospitals, critical infrastructure, and communities.

While hardware may be a source of insecurity, such as with microchip vulnerabilities maliciously introduced during the manufacturing process, hardware-based or assisted computer security also offers an alternative to software-only computer security. Using devices and methods such as dongles, trusted platform modules, intrusion-aware cases, drive locks, disabling USB ports, and mobile-enabled access may be considered more secure due to the physical access required in order to be compromised. Social engineering and direct computer access attacks can only be prevented by non-computer means, which can be difficult to enforce, relative to the sensitivity of the information.

However, if access is gained to a car's internal controller area network, the danger is much greater – and in a widely publicized 2015 test, hackers remotely carjacked a vehicle from 10 miles away and drove it into a ditch. Vehicles are increasingly computerized, with engine timing, cruise control, anti-lock brakes, seat belt tensioners, door locks, airbags and advanced driver-assistance systems on many models. Additionally, connected cars may use WiFi and Bluetooth to communicate with onboard consumer devices and the cell phone network.

Connecting the digital and physical worlds presents a unique and growing area of vulnerability. Third-party vulnerabilities will persist as organizations continue to struggle to establish minimum but robust controls for third parties — especially as most vendors, in particular cloud vendors, are themselves relying on third parties . Increasing sophistication of threats and poor threat sensing make it hard to keep track of the growing number of information security controls, requirements and threats. Not only are each of these sectors critical to the appropriate functioning of modern societies, but they are also interdependent, and a cyberattack on one can have a direct impact on others. Attackers are increasingly choosing to deploy attacks on cyber-physical systems .

The Defense Industrial Base Sector Coordinating Council partners developed the Cyber Assist Website highlighting a list of high value controls and possible mitigations solutions. The Top 10 High Value Controls listing consists of commonly identified threats followed by publicly available resources to help suppliers mitigate those threats. Protecting Idaho citizens’ privacy by safeguarding Idaho’s information, data, systems and infrastructure while establishing strong cybersecurity leadership, awareness and training, best practices, and partnerships. With so much change, the information landscape around cybersecurity degree, certifications, and career options is very dynamic. That’s why we partner with writers with advanced cybersecurity knowledge and routinely interview experts in the field to keep tabs on what is happening. The result is a series of deep-dive informational resources that cover everything from cybersecurity scholarship options, to what to do if you have been a victim of a cyber attack.

Without a documented plan in place, an organization may not successfully detect an intrusion or compromise and stakeholders may not understand their roles, processes and procedures during an escalation, slowing the organization's response and resolution. An unauthorized user gaining physical access to a computer is most likely able to directly copy data from it. They may also compromise security by making operating system modifications, installing software worms, keyloggers, covert listening devices or using wireless microphones. Even when the system is protected by standard security measures, these may be bypassed by booting another operating system or tool from a CD-ROM or other bootable media. Disk encryption and Trusted Platform Module are designed to prevent these attacks.

But the attacks themselves, which target both information and critical infrastructure, are also becoming far more sophisticated. Integrating cloud into your existing enterprise security program is not just adding a few more controls or point solutions. It requires an assessment of your resources and business needs to develop a fresh approach to your culture and cloud security strategy. In an APT, an intruder or group of intruders infiltrate a system and remain undetected for an extended period. The intruder leaves networks and systems intact so that the intruder can spy on business activity and steal sensitive data while avoiding the activation of defensive countermeasures. The recent Solar Winds breach of United States government systems is an example of an APT.