National Cybersecurity Center

Last updated
National Cybersecurity Center
Agency overview
FormedMarch 2016;8 years ago (2016-03)
Headquarters Colorado Springs, Colorado
United States
Website cyber-center.org

The National Cybersecurity Center (NCC) [1] was founded in 2016 [2] as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was started from a vision of then Governor John Hickenlooper, in coordination with several people from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) and the community. The NCC serves both public and private organizations and individuals through training, education, and research. [3]

Contents

The NCC is not to be confused with the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC), an office within the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Leadership

Ed Rios was CEO of the NCC from October 2016 to 2018. Vance Brown was CEO from 2018 to 2020. In 2020, Harry D. Raduege, Jr., Lieutenant General, USAF (Ret.) became CEO.

Board members included Senator John Hickenlooper, Governor Jared Polis, Mayor John Suthers, and several retired US military officers.

Cyber education

NCC's Cyber Education logo NCCStudentAllianceCyberEducation.png
NCC's Cyber Education logo

The National Cybersecurity Center provides cybersecurity leadership, with two main pillars: K-12 education with the NCC Student Alliance, and the Adult Education Initiative. [8]

Student Alliance

The NCCSA is a Cyber Education Student Organization focusing on cybersecurity. The mission of the NCCSA is to respond to the urgent demand for trained cybersecurity talent while recognizing the importance of providing students with knowledge, career, and academic pathway information in this exciting and critical field.

NCCSA is a school-based network of student-run chapters providing learning, competing, leadership, soft-skills development, networking, skill-building, and social opportunities. It began as a grassroots effort of students, teachers, community college peers, and the NCC, who collaborated with partners and stakeholders to organize a student organization that meets the needs of cyberstudents across the country.

Students collaborating at one of NCC's Cyber Camps. Cybercamp2020.jpg
Students collaborating at one of NCC's Cyber Camps.

The NCC has hosted cyber camps, captured the flag, and other events for the students to get hands-on experience.

Cyber Force

The NCC Cyber Force Initiative is designed to increase the number of cybersecurity professionals in the workforce and increase the number of underrepresented groups in the cybersecurity workforce. [9] The NCC offers both self-guide and instructor-led classes.

Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center

On April 8, 2019, the NCC announced a partnership with Space ISAC. The Space ISAC is an Information Sharing and Analysis Center focused on space industry threats. Space ISAC collaborates across the global space industrial base to enhance the nation's ability to prepare for and respond to vulnerabilities, incidents, and threats. Space ISAC provides members with timely and actionable information and serves as the primary communications channel for the sector. [10]

On February 25, 2021, the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC) announced a significant milestone, declaring the organization has reached Initial Operating Capability (IOC) following the launch of Space ISAC’s member portal and threat intelligence sharing platform. This capability will serve as the first of its kind, enabling commercial industry and international space partners to share timely, actionable information about space-based threats. [11]

On May 5, 2022, the NCC participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony held by the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) to celebrate the expansion of the Kevin W. O’Neil Cybersecurity Education and Research Center and Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC). This facility, which houses the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center(ISAC), is the only all-threats security information source for the public and private space sector, operated by the NCC since its formation in 2019. [12]

Founding members

Founding board member include Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., Booz Allen Hamilton, MITRE, SES, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Parsons Corporation, Purdue University, the Space Dynamics Laboratory, the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, the Aerospace Corporation, and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. [11]

Cybersecurity for Government Leaders (CfGL)

In 2021, the NCC launched Cybersecurity for State Leaders (CfSL) - as it was originally named - a cyber hygiene training for state leaders, supported by Google. Briefings were offered in all 50 states and trained 2,342 state and local leaders as a part of the program. (See 2021 Cybersecurity for State Leaders Program Report for more highlights.)

The program trained state legislatures on cybersecurity best practices through live, viral, on-demand, and text courses. CfSL aimed to educate state lawmakers and staff on "ways to strengthen defenses against digital attacks". A series of experts from all over the country including West Virginia U.S. Senator Joe Manchin; former DHS Cybersecurity Deputy Undersecretary, Mark Weatherford; senior experts and researchers at Google, Microsoft, and IBM; and Shark Tank’s Shark and cybersecurity guru, Robert Herjavec, helped teach some of the top cyber tips.

The NCC offered briefings in all 50 states and trained 1,342 state and local leaders as a part of the program (see 2021 Cybersecurity for State Leaders Program Report for more highlights).

While reaching out to only state leaders, the NCC received many requests from government leaders and their staff at the local level to join the training as well. In 2023, the NCC expanded the training to be more inclusive of all government leaders and their staff and Cybersecurity for Government Leaders (CfGL) was created.

Colorado Cyber Resource Center (CCRC)

In 2021 the National Cybersecurity Center (NCC) announced the launch of the Colorado Cyber Resource Center (CCRC) to help Colorado’s local governments, school districts, special districts, and critical infrastructure towards a more cyber-secure future.

The Colorado Cyber Resource Center is the shared product of the Colorado Whole of State Working Group and the NCC. Led by local jurisdictions and supporting state and federal agencies, the Whole of State Working Group has evolved over the past several years into an organized collaborative working towards rising the tide of cybersecurity in Colorado. Concerned with the needs of our least-resourced jurisdictions, the Working Group uses feedback from smaller jurisdictions as a starting point for developing cyber resources in Colorado. [13]

PISCES

The CCRC will soon serve as the hub for Colorado’s chapter of PISCES- an initiative that helps monitor network flows of smaller jurisdictions at no charge while allowing cybersecurity students to gain experience that translates into workforce talent. The Public Infrastructure Security Cyber Education System (PISCES) provides qualified students with curricula and supervised experiences to act as entry-level cyber analysts. Students analyze streaming data for small communities or municipalities who may otherwise not be able to obtain cybersecurity to the extent needed. Through PISCES, a reliable, high-quality pipeline is being developed to address the shortage of cyber professionals ready for the workforce.

PISCES works with professors to develop a curriculum for students in cyber-related fields and to give those students controlled access to real data from communities and municipalities. Students learn and enhance their skills in detecting threats while providing information to the municipalities and communities to secure the threat and prevent future attacks. [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SANS Institute</span> American security company

The SANS Institute is a private U.S. for-profit company founded in 1989 that specializes in information security, cybersecurity training, and selling certificates. Topics available for training include cyber and network defenses, penetration testing, incident response, digital forensics, and auditing. The information security courses are developed through a consensus process involving administrators, security managers, and information security professionals. The courses cover security fundamentals and technical aspects of information security. The institute has been recognized for its training programs and certification programs. Per 2021, SANS is the world’s largest cybersecurity research and training organization. SANS is an acronym for SysAdmin, Audit, Network, and Security.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Communications System</span>

The National Communications System (NCS) was an office within the United States Department of Homeland Security charged with enabling national security and emergency preparedness communications using the national telecommunications system. The NCS was disbanded by Executive Order 13618 on July 6, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North American Electric Reliability Corporation</span> Non profit Electric Reliability Organization

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is a nonprofit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, and formed on March 28, 2006, as the successor to the North American Electric Reliability Council. The original NERC was formed on June 1, 1968, by the electric utility industry to promote the reliability and adequacy of bulk power transmission in the electric utility systems of North America. NERC's mission states that it "is to assure the effective and efficient reduction of risks to the reliability and security of the grid".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Colorado Colorado Springs</span> Public research university in Colorado, US

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a public research university in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is one of four campuses that make up the University of Colorado system. As of Fall 2023, UCCS had over 11,431 students, including 9,540 undergraduates and 1,891 graduate students. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".

A cybersecurity regulation comprises directives that safeguard information technology and computer systems with the purpose of forcing companies and organizations to protect their systems and information from cyberattacks like viruses, worms, Trojan horses, phishing, denial of service (DOS) attacks, unauthorized access and control system attacks. While cybersecurity regulations aim to minimize cyber risks and enhance protection, the uncertainty arising from frequent changes or new regulations can significantly impact organizational response strategies.

A Master of Science in Cyber Security is a type of postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. This degree is typically studied for in cyber security. What is offered by many institutions is actually called a Master in Strategic Cyber Operations and Information Management (SCOIM) which is commonly understood to be a Master in Cybersecurity. This degree is offered by at least some universities in their Professional Studies program so that it can be accomplished while students are employed - in other words it allows for "distance learning" or online attendance. Requirements for the Professional Studies program include: 3.0 or better undergrad GPA, professional recommendations letters and an essay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2013</span>

The National Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2013 is a bill that would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct cybersecurity activities on behalf of the federal government and would codify the role of DHS in preventing and responding to cybersecurity incidents involving the Information Technology (IT) systems of federal civilian agencies and critical infrastructure in the United States.

Phil Agcaoili is a technologist, entrepreneur, and cyber security, information security, and privacy expert.

An Information Sharing and Analysis Center(ISAC) is a nonprofit organization that provides a central resource for gathering information on cyber and related threats to critical infrastructure and providing two-way sharing of information between the private and public sectors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Cyber Security Centre (Ireland)</span>

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is a government computer security organisation in Ireland, an operational arm of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The NCSC was developed in 2013 and formally established by the Irish government in July 2015. It is responsible for Ireland's cyber security, with a primary focus on securing government networks, protecting critical national infrastructure, and assisting businesses and citizens in protecting their own systems. The NCSC incorporates the Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT-IE).

Cyber threat intelligence (CTI) is knowledge, skills and experience-based information concerning the occurrence and assessment of both cyber and physical threats and threat actors that is intended to help mitigate potential attacks and harmful events occurring in cyberspace. Cyber threat intelligence sources include open source intelligence, social media intelligence, human Intelligence, technical intelligence, device log files, forensically acquired data or intelligence from the internet traffic and data derived for the deep and dark web.

The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC), also known as the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness' (NJOHSP) Division of Cybersecurity, is the first American state-level information sharing and analysis organization in the United States that exchanges cyber threat intelligence and conducts incident response for governments, businesses, and citizens in New Jersey. Located at NJ’s Regional Operations and Intelligence Center (ROIC), and acting in a cyber fusion center capacity the NJCCIC is composed of staff from NJOHSP, the NJ Office of Information Technology, and the NJ State Police. The NJCCIC's nomenclature is derived from its federal counterpart, the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, which encompasses the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT).

The Center for Internet Security (CIS) is a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, formed in October 2000. Its mission statement professes that the function of CIS is to " help people, businesses, and governments protect themselves against pervasive cyber threats."

The National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) is part of the Cybersecurity Division of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It acts to coordinate various aspects of the U.S. federal government's cybersecurity and cyberattack mitigation efforts through cooperation with civilian agencies, infrastructure operators, state and local governments, and international partners.

Election cybersecurity or election security refers to the protection of elections and voting infrastructure from cyberattack or cyber threat – including the tampering with or infiltration of voting machines and equipment, election office networks and practices, and voter registration databases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anomali</span> American cybersecurity company

Anomali Inc. is an American cybersecurity company that develops and provides threat intelligence products. In 2023, the company moved into providing Security Analytics powered by AI.

Ibrahim "Abe" Moussa Baggili is a cybersecurity and digital forensics scientist at Louisiana State University with a joint appointment between the college of engineering and the Center for Computation and Technology. Before that, he was the founder and director of the Connecticut Institute of Technology (CIT) at the University of New Haven. Baggili was also a full professor and Elder Family Endowed Chair at UNewHaven. He has a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Computer and Information Technology from Purdue University's Purdue Polytechnic Institute. Baggili is a Jordanian/Arab American first generation college graduate and a well-known scientist in the domain of Cyber Forensics and Cybersecurity with seminal peer-reviewed work in the areas of Virtual Reality Forensics (VR) and security, mobile device forensics and security, application forensics, drone forensics and memory forensics.

Camille Stewart is an American technology and cybersecurity attorney, public speaker, and entrepreneur. She served as the Senior Policy advisor for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under the Obama administration from 2015 to 2017 under the Barack Obama administration. She also served as the Head of Product Security Strategy Google after serving as the Lead for Security Policy & Election Integrity, Google Play & Android at Google.

Operational collaboration is a cyber resilience framework that leverages public-private partnerships to reduce the risk of cyber threats and the impact of cyberattacks on United States cyberspace. This operational collaboration framework for cyber is similar to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s National Preparedness System which is used to coordinate responses to natural disasters, terrorism, chemical and biological events in the physical world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Venkat K. Reddy</span> Chancellor of University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Venkat (Venkateshwar) K. Reddy was the seventh full-time chancellor of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

References

  1. mtomasetti. "Home". National Cybersecurity Center. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  2. "National Cybersecurity Center Opens in Colorado". GovTech. 2018-01-22. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  3. "About Us". National Cybersecurity Center. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
  4. "Former Military Tech Official Kim Crider to Lead AI Innovation at Deloitte". GovCon Wire. 2022-01-21. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
  5. Gazette, The (15 March 2021). "Colorado Springs Movers & Shakers". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
  6. "Leadership". National Cybersecurity Center. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  7. "Leadership". National Cybersecurity Center. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  8. "Cyber Education". National Cybersecurity Center. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
  9. "Adult Education Initiative". National Cybersecurity Center. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
  10. "Space industry group focused on cybersecurity to begin operations in spring 2020". SpaceNews. 2020-01-23. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  11. 1 2 Master, Web (2021-02-25). "Space ISAC Announces Initial Operating Capability for Threat Information Sharing". Space ISAC. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  12. Gruenling, Jessica (2022-05-05). "UCCS officially opens expansion on Cybersecurity Center". KRDO. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  13. "About". Colorado-CRC. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  14. "PISCES". Colorado-CRC. Retrieved 2022-03-16.