Editor’s Note: The DHS Office of Inspector General Report OIG-14-02 is attached here. Below is an excerpt from the report’s Executive Summary
From: DHS OIG-14-02
NPPD has taken actions to coordinate and share vital cyber threat information with the five Federal cyber operations centers. For example, NPPD has established partnerships with the other centers to coordinate an effective response on cyber incidents. In addition, NPPD has increased interagency collaboration and communication through the use of liaisons and participating in regular meetings. Finally, NPPD has issued—in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation—Joint Indicator Bulletins to assist private sector partners in preventing cyber attacks and protecting intellectual property, trade secrets, and sensitive business information from exploitation and theft.
Still, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) faces challenges in sharing cyber information among the Federal cyber operations centers. Specifically, DHS must procure cyber tools and technologies to improve its situational awareness efforts. In addition, it needs to work with its cyber operations center partners to develop a standard set of cyber incident reporting categories. Further, DHS has to address insufficient staffing levels that hinder its ability to provide continuous coverage in all mission areas in the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center operations center and conduct additional technical training needed to improve staff’s incident response skills. Finally, it must update the NPPD Continuity of Operations Plan, and finalize and integrate it with the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications’ Continuity of Operations Plan and the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center’s Continuity of Operations Plan.
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