Homeland Security announces new commercially-available cybersecurity risk analysis tool

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced on Monday that a fifth cybersecurity technology has been licensed for commercialization as part of the cybersecurity division’s transition to practice (TTP) program.

The Physical and Cyber Risk Analysis Tool (PACRAT) technology, developed at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), assesses cyber risks simultaneously with physical risks.

“S&T’s TTP program is leading the way in assisting the transition of government funded technology into the marketplace,” Reginald Brothers, DHS under secretary for science and technology, said. “Some of the most innovative technologies have been developed by our national lab partners and it’s essential we help them provide a positive impact on the nation’s cybersecurity posture.”

The TTP program identified PACRAT as a promising candidate for commercial availability. Currently, the program has 24 active technologies and eight additional technologies that have undergone extensive testing that are ready for transition into the marketplace.

“Taking technology across the valley-of-death and into the market is always challenging for any R&D organization,” Kannan Krishnaswami, technology commercialization manager for the PNNL, said. “The TTP program has been instrumental in exposing our technology to key cybersecurity investors to accelerate the tech transfer process. And we are excited to have the PACRAT technology provide a positive impact on our nation’s security.”