By Bray Barnes & Bob Venero
Today, law enforcement is beginning to devote more resources to fighting cybercrimes. They are working with the public and private sector to promote information sharing and drive awareness of cyber safety best practices.
First, they recommend that all companies have an Incident Response Plan (IRP). This is a clear set of guidelines that outlines what you should do if attacked.
An IRP should be reviewed and tested at least once a year. We highly recommend that your IRP emphasizes the value of building relationships with local, county and state law enforcement agencies.
If you are attacked, you do not want that to be the first time that you are speaking with law enforcement. Law enforcement cyber experts can provide advice as to what evidence needs to be preserved to assist in the detection and investigation of cyber crimes.
If you do not have an updated IRP, there are many valuable resources available. Among them, Future Tech recommends and works closely with The Secureworks™ Consulting team.
Over the past eight years, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also enhanced its support programs for private industry. For instance, the National Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) shares information with public and private sector partners to build awareness of vulnerabilities, incidents, and mitigations.
Several programs are available to companies. A short list is highlighted below:
– Cyber Information Sharing & Collaboration Program (CISCP) allows participants to better secure their networks and help support and promote a collaborative environment.
– National Information Sharing & Analysis Centers (ISAC) share critical infrastructure information between government and industry.
– Information Sharing & Analysis Organizations (ISO). Promotes better cybersecurity information sharing between the private sector and government, and enhances collaboration and information amongst the private sector.
– Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN): A trusted DHS network that shares sensitive, but unclassified information to manage operations, analyze data, send alerts and notices that help keep their communities safe.
These are a few ways that law enforcement can help the private sector protect their networks from cyber attacks. Many law enforcement agencies are also “reaching across the fence line” to educate and be a resource to companies.
The resources are available, and every business should take advantage of the assistance of local, county, state and federal resources.
Need help developing, testing, or updating an Incident Response Plan?
Future Tech provides Security Program Maturity Assessments and Incident Response Plan Development, Review and Testing, via our roster of industry-leading, Gartner recognized, cybersecurity experts. We will also show you best practices to working with local law enforcement. Contact Future Tech at info@ftei.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bray Barnes is the Director of the Global Center for Public Safety’s Institute for Cybersecurity. He previously was the Director, National Cybersecurity Institute, (NCI) Washington, DC, and is the Founder and Principal of Security Evaluation and Solutions Group, LLC that provided three unique Homeland Security cornerstones of service including Cyber Intelligence Analyst training. He has served as a member of the US Dept. of Homeland Security Cyber focus group, as Director, (Senior Executive Service) U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Washington, DC, directing the First-Responder Program, and as the Acting Chief Human Capital Officer with oversight to include all training and education for the Department’s 210,000 employees. He is a licensed attorney in New Jersey and Washington, DC, with thirty (30) years of experience in the legal profession representing various police agencies, corporations, and financial institutions.
Bob Venero is the CEO and founder of Future Tech Enterprise, Inc., an award-winning, global IT solutions provider with capabilities in 170 countries. One of the largest companies headquartered on Long Island, Future Tech is a partner-of-choice for leading organizations in the aerospace, defense, education, energy, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors. A member of the prestigious Forbes Technology Council, Bob is frequently quoted in leading business and IT trade media about key industry trends, technology developments, corporate culture and succeeding as an entrepreneur. Bob has appeared in a wide range of media, including Forbes, Buzzfeed, Fierce CEO, Channel Reseller News (CRN), CIO, Information Week, Entrepreneur, Inc., and more. Along with leading Future Tech, Bob is a board member of numerous organizations – Suffolk County’s Economic Development Team and Workforce Investment Board, Stony Brook University, Good Samaritan Hospital, Insource America, and Everything Channel Inc.