CCHS announces new active defense project

The Center for Cyber and Homeland Security (CCHS) based at George Washington University recently announced that it is launching a new project primarily focused on the role of the private sector in active defense against cyber threats.

The goal of the project is to find a definitive answer to the question of how a company in the private sector can accurately defend itself against cyber attacks. A large part of the project will be analyzing the role that developing technology will have in cyber security.

Active defense is a broad term that includes passive defense mechanisms like firewalls and security patches, while also encompassing technology that defends valuable data in a more aggressive role.

As part of the project, the CCHS has assembled a task force that will examine the issues that contribute towards cyber security and active defense. The task force will release a report on its findings later this year.

In the wake of such cyber attacks as the Sony Pictures hack and other high profile breaches of corporate cyber security, there has been a renewed focus on ensuring that the private sector has adequate technology to defend against this threat.

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as well as the Smith Richardson Foundation will provide financial support for the project.