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Critical Issues Breakfast Series - Keynote Speaker - Rand Beers
Critical Issues Breakfast Series - Keynote Speaker - Rand Beers, Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate, DHS
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Waterview Conference Center
Rand Beers, Undersecretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was the keynote speaker at INSA’s Critical Issues Breakfast on Tuesday, July 20. Beers spoke about the current challenges and future plans for the protection of cyber space and participated in Q&A with attendees.
Beers began his remarks by acknowledging that no single actor, business, or agency alone can effectively meet the challenges of protecting cyber assets and vital infrastructure. He praised events like the INSA Breakfast as an important step toward fostering collaboration between the leaders from both the private sector and government agencies.
Mr. Beer’s presentation focused on the Department of Homeland Security’s three major efforts that, in conjunction with the private sector, will further shore up vulnerabilities in the current cyber security infrastructure. The first project he outlined was the National Cyber International Response Plan. Mr. Beers stated that is it critical for the private sector to be as well informed as the government regarding specific response plans. He also emphasized that private industry must have significant input regarding roles and responsibilities in the event of a major cyber incident. An integral aspect of the Cyber Response plan, Mr. Beers described, is the upcoming Cyber Storm exercise in Fall 2010. The Cyber Storm test plan will assess the preparedness of the government, the international community, and industry in the event of a cyber event of national significance. The exercise is intended to highlight security gaps in order to better adapt future protection strategies.
Beers continued his speech with an explanation of the evolution of the DHS Einstein Program. Einstein, Mr. Beers explained, is an automated computer program designed to detect malicious cyber intrusions on government networks. With a quarter million intrusions annually, Mr. Beers stated that the third version of Einstein (currently in development) would be a model based on protection as opposed to detection. Mr. Beers affirmed that DHS plans to work closely with Internet service providers to gain insight into their protection capabilities. Once completed, the newest Einstein will be a hybrid of private and public sector innovation.
The final issue Mr. Beers discussed was the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace. This plan, which he stated is an area of critical concern for DHS, seeks to create a more secure cyber environment by increasing the level of trust associated with the identities of individual users, organizations, and Internet services and devices.
Following his remarks, Mr. Beers fielded questions from the audience. One guest asked the Undersecretary how DHS plans to build partnerships with the private sector when large technological gaps exist. In response, Mr. Beers acknowledged that long out-of-house program authorization delays hinder greater partnership with private industry. However, he emphasized that efforts are underway to streamline this process though it remains a major challenge for DHS.
To conclude, Mr. Beers again asserted that the future of cyber security was heavily dependent on a strategic partnership between private industry and the government. He stressed that this vital cooperation will be a priority for DHS as the agency continues to develop the best methods to secure cyberspace.
The breakfast, sponsored by Deloitte, took place at the Waterview Conference Center in Rosslyn, Virginia.
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