About Federal Network Security

Leadership and Organization

The Federal Network Security (FNS) Branch Director and FNS Deputy Director manage five programs within the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, National Cybersecurity Division (NCSD), which address critical cybersecurity requirements.

Programs

• Security Management (SM) assesses network security best practices and recommends changes to federal information technology policy or architecture. SM is a forward-looking entity that directly supports the long-term strategic prevention of attacks against federal government networks through the management of common challenges faced by all agencies.
• Requirements and Acquisition Support (RAS) supports the long-term strategic prevention of attacks against Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) networks.
• Network and Infrastructure Security (N&IS) optimizes an agency’s network services into a common solution for the federal government.
• Compliance & Assurance Program (CAP) assesses the state of operational readiness and cybersecurity risk across FCEB.
• Cybersecurity Performance Management (CPM) provides oversight and operational support for the FCEB departments and agencies in their compliance with the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA).

Authorities

The FNS Branch operates under the following authorities:

1. Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) of 2002 (PDF, 16 pages - 62.5 KB)
2. Homeland Security Presidential Directive 23, Cybersecurity Policy (Classified)
3. OMB Memorandum M-10-28, Clarifying Cybersecurity Responsibilities and Activities of the Executive Office of the President and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (PDF, 2 pages - 38.6 KB)
4. OMB Memorandum M-08-05, Implementing the Trusted Internet Connections Initiative (TIC) (PDF, 1 page - 28.7 KB)
5. OMB Memorandum M-08-23, Securing the Federal Government’s Domain Name System Infrastructure (PDF, 3 pages - 77.3 KB)
6. OMB Memorandum M-08-27, Guidance for Trusted Internet Connection (TIC) Compliance (PDF, 2 pages - 47.4 KB)
7. National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace, February 2003 (PDF, 76 pages - 551 KB)
8. Implementing the Information Systems Security Line of Business, December 2006
9. OMB Designation Memorandum, dated June 7, 2006
10. Clinger-Cohen Act (Information Technology Management Reform Act of 1996)
11. E-Government Act of 2002 (PDF, 72 pages - 217 KB)
12. HSPD-7, Critical Infrastructure Identification, Prioritization and Protection, December 2003
13. Homeland Security Act of 2002, Public Law 107-296 (HSA2002)
14. OMB Memorandum: M-09-32, Update on the Trusted Internet Connections Initiative (PDF, 4 pages - 47.4 KB)
15. OMB Memorandum: M-10-15, FY 2010 Reporting Instructions for the Federal Information Security Management Act and Agency Privacy Management (PDF, 27 pages - 274 KB)