DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate fosters launch of new cyber defense technology

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced the launch of new technology, the Autonomic Intelligent Cyber Sensor (AICS), through its Transition to Practice (TTP) Program.

This is the 20th technology that has been developed and commercialized since DHS launched its TTP program in 2013.

The Autonomic Intelligent Cyber Sensor (AICS)—created by researchers at the Idaho National Laboratory—is designed to upgrade the cyber-defenses of critical infrastructure systems, including natural gas distribution, water distribution and management, and electrical grid systems.

The technology has been licensed to Trust Automation, Inc., a woman-owned small business based in San Luis Obispo, California, that builds power-management systems for defense, semiconductor, industrial automation, green technology and medical applications.

“Strengthening the security and resilience of the nation’s critical infrastructure is a key focus of the DHS mission,” William Bryan, senior official performing the duties of the undersecretary for science and technology, said. “The commercialization of Autonomic Intelligent Cyber Sensor to a company with deep experience in designing and implementing industrial control systems for critical infrastructure entities will greatly improve the cybersecurity of these essential systems.”

AICS employs autonomic computing techniques to discover network entity information automatically, deploy deceptive virtual hosts, and accurately identify anomalous network traffic on Ethernet-based Industrial Control System (ICS) networks. AICS enhances cybersecurity defenses for ICS networks, which are vulnerable to attacks, by providing both real-time monitoring and quick response to changing network conditions.

“AICS is an innovative technology that will help close a significant security gap in the Industrial Control System networks used within the nation’s legacy critical infrastructure,” TTP Program Manager Nadia Carlsten said. “We are especially proud that its commercialization marks the milestone 20th transition for the TTP Program. We have now transitioned half of our technology portfolio, an achievement that validates the program’s unique approach of leveraging existing innovative technologies and supporting their commercialization so they can make an impact in addressing important needs both for government and the private sector.”

Every year, the DHS’s TTP program identifies the most promising technologies developed at federal laboratories, universities, and other research facilities to bring to market. Since 2013, TTP has now commercialized 15 technologies and transitioned five more through open-source release.