National Cyber Security Division Issues Report Card

The National Cyber Security Division of the Homeland Security department is taking stock of the current state of cybersecurity, urging more partnerships with private industry.

According to a recent PC World article by Adrienne Newell, the NCSD recently issued a one-year cybersecurity report card and is now looking toward new goals for its security efforts. The organization plans to expand its recently launched National Cyber Alert System and enlist help from the industry to achieve these goals.

On a positive note, the NCSD report card pointed to a number of successful milestones in cybersecurity from the past year, including the Bush Administration's National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace and NCSD's creation of the Cyber Interagency Incident Management Group. In January, NCSD launched the cyber alert system, a coordinated security system designed to keep computer users informed of security hazards and to provide e-mail updates on request.

The organization, however, noted that it may take some time to achieve its future goals. "Candid expectation-setting about how long it will take to reap the rewards of these efforts is required," NCSD director Amit Yoran told Newell. He says he anticipates that the NCSD's efforts may not show change for years.

To read Newell's full article, Click HERE>>