Resources

Security issues related to cyber-safety are ever-changing and have become a major focus of the United States government. National centers have been created charged with addressing specific areas of vulnerability. Below are links to some of the major centers.

CERT

Focuses on internet security vulnerabilities through research on long-term challenges in networked systems and the development of information and training to help improve security.

US Computer Emergency Readiness Team

Established in 2003 to protect the nation's Internet infrastructure, US-CERT coordinates defense against and responses to cyber attacks across the nation.

National Security Agency (NSA)

The Information Assurance mission of the NSA provides the solutions, products, and services, and conducts defensive information operations, to achieve information assurance for information infrastructures critical to U.S. national security interests.

National Cyber-Forensics & Training Alliance

The National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance provides a neutral collaborative venue where critical confidential information about cyber incidents can be shared discreetly, and where resources can be shared among industry, academia and law enforcement.

Federal Plan for Cyber Security and Information Assurance Research and Development

Safeguarding the Nation's IT infrastructure and critical infrastructure sectors for the future is a matter of national and homeland security. This Plan focuses on interagency research and development (R&D) priorities and is intended to complement agency-specific prioritization and R&D planning efforts in cyber security and information assurance.

Committee on National Security Systems

The CNSS provides a forum for the discussion of policy issues, sets national policy, and promulgates direction, operational procedures, and guidance for the security of national security systems.

National Coordination Office for Networking and Information Technology Research and Development

The NITRD agencies' goal is to increase the overall effectiveness and productivity of Federal networking and information technology R&D investments, leveraging strengths, avoiding duplication, and increasing interoperability of R&D products through collaborative efforts.

Cyber Security Research and Development Center

The Cyber Security R&D Center was established by the Department of Homeland Security in 2004 to develop security technology for protection of the U.S. cyber infrastructure. The Center conducts its work through partnerships between government and private industry, the venture capital community, and the research community.

Stop.Think.Connect.

The Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign is a national public awareness campaign by DHS aimed at increasing the understanding of cyber threats and empowering the American public to be safer and more secure online. Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. We each have to do our part to keep the Internet safe. When we all take simple steps to be safer online, it makes using the Internet a more secure experience for everyone.

NICE Framework

The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) has developed the National Cybersecurity Workforce Framework to provide a common understanding of and lexicon for cybersecurity work. Defining the cybersecurity population consistently, using standardized terms is an essential step in ensuring that our country is able to educate, recruit, train, develop, and retain a highly-qualified workforce.

The National Homeland Security Knowledgebase

NHSK is a leading news source and resource for Homeland Security, Defense, Biometrics and global security issues. You may submit your own defense and security news to the site.

Academic Centers focused on Cyber Security:

• National Science Foundation

  The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense…"

• NSF Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance

  The Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance (About CSSIA) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) National Resource Center. Since 2003, CSSIA has provided students with real-world learning experiences in information assurance and network security through several program improvement supportive initiatives.