Western Cyber Exchange and DHS sign a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement on cybersecurity

Western Cyber Exchange (WCX), based in Colorado Springs, CO announced on January 22 the establishment of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Cybersecurity and Communications. WCX will participate in the Cyber Information Sharing and Collaboration Program (CISCP) with DHS and will act as an Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (ISAO). The purpose of the CRADA is to share cybersecurity threat information to help make communities, industries and critical infrastructure more secure.

DHS and WCX will engage in data flow and analytical collaboration activities associated with cybersecurity to include:

• enhanced public-private cybersecurity threat data sharing and analysis
• aligning existing threat detection capabilities related to security
• working together to prevent attacks or mitigate threats to public and private systems and assets
• improving the overall awareness, preparedness, and resilience of WCX members, communities, industries and public organizations
• to build and maintain enhanced situational awareness

The agreement also provides WCX access to the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC), a DHS cybersecurity operations center.

In short, this agreement with DHS will enhance WCX’s ability to share and analyze cybersecurity information with its member organizations. It will also enable WCX to securely discuss threats in the Rocky Mountain region with DHS analysts, enhancing the security posture of both WCX members and the nation.

Michael Semmens, WCX Chairman explains, “The threat to America and its citizens from the cyber domain is rapidly becoming one of the greatest threats to national security and economic expansion. Establishing this agreement with DHS provides WCX access to world-class resources and the opportunity to better serve our WCX members and communities. We are very grateful to DHS for this opportunity and its support. We look forward to working with them to take on this very important challenge.”

Source: Western Cyber Exchange (WCX)