DHS ‘Cyber Storm’ Exercise to Take Place in Feb.

From Feb. 6 to Feb. 10, the Department of Homeland Security will examine how well it interacts with other federal agencies and private companies during cybersecurity-related events, Government Computer News reports.

The exercise, deemed Cyber Storm, will include the Information Technology Information-Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC).  The government agencies and organizations involved will test DHS’ plan for responding to cybersecurity incidents.

“This will be the first-ever cyber-focused exercise for DHS,” the IT ISAC posted on its website.

A number of cybersecurity solution vendors will also be involved, including Cisco Systems, Citadel Security Software, Computer Associates International, Computer Sciences Corp., Microsoft, Symantec and VeriSign. 

Andy Purdy, DHS’ acting director of its National Cyber Security Division, says his group established the Government Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (GFirst) to promote interagency information sharing for situations like the one Cyber Storm will simulate.

Cyber Storm was originally scheduled for last November, but the activity was postponed due to Hurricane Katrina reconstruction efforts.

This is not the first time DHS has held emergency simulation exercises.  Last April, DHS conducted the Top Officials (TopOff) 3 program in New Jersey and Connecticut to help law enforcement, government officials and emergency responders prepare for an attack involving a weapon of mass destruction.  For more on TopOff 3 read Terror Drills.

-Al Sacco