Cybersecurity

digital representation of a cyber lock Every day, hackers seek to infiltrate and disrupt the nation’s cyber networks. Given the constant attacks on U.S. cyber infrastructure, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) supports the full spectrum of cybersecurity research and development (R&D). S&T supports DHS component operational and critical infrastructure protections, including the finance, energy, and public utility sectors, as well as the first responder community. S&T helps a variety of end-users understand and use emerging cyber-capabilities, such as blockchain and the Internet of Things, to enhance the security and resilience of the nation’s critical information infrastructure and the internet. In an increasingly interconnected world, S&T helps strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity posture by partnering with innovators, government entities, international partners, law enforcement and other first responders, industry and academic groups to develop crucial capabilities.

Current Programs and Projects

Cybersecurity Division's R&D Lifecycle Process: Critical infrastructure owners and operators work with DHS customers using prioritized requirements to begin Pre-R&D: Workshops and Solicitations. Moves into R&D: Program Support. Moves into Post-R&D: Experiments and Tech transfer. Moves back into Pre-R&D. Through a practitioner-driven approach, S&T creates and deploys information resources—standards, frameworks, tools and technologies enabling seamless and secure interactions among homeland security stakeholders. Through an aggressive cybersecurity R&D lifecycle process—research, development, test, evaluation and transition to practice—S&T produces unclassified solutions that address today's complex challenges and can be implemented in both the public and private sectors. In addition to being innovative, S&T develops usable technologies, tools and techniques to defend, mitigate, and secure current and future systems, networks and critical infrastructures against cyberattacks.

To accomplish its mission and serve its customers, S&T’s funds a wide range of cybersecurity projects aimed at improving security in both federal networks and the larger internet.