The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking input from the mobile and cellular industry to study defense capability gaps and additional safeguards for government devices.
The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) will additionally hold two Industry Day events – 20 July in Washington, D.C. and 2 August in Menlo Park, California — to provide additional insight about the request for information (RFI) to the mobile and cellular industry and researchers.
S&T says that the RFI will enable industry and the research community to contribute information about threats and vulnerabilities to mobile devices used by the federal government, as well as to highlight existing and potential technology solutions. The RFI seeks information about the threats, products, services, capabilities or technologies related to securing mobile devices, as well as best practices for mitigating potential threat and vulnerability. The deadline for responding to this RFI is 22 August 2016.
“Threats targeting mobile devices are real and commonplace. As a result, we must put into place security solutions to safeguard the sensitive government business that is performed and stored on these devices,” saidDHS Under Secretary for Science and Technology Dr. Reginald Brothers. “This study will pave the way for future security solutions and ensure the continued benefits of mobility for government and its connected workforce.”
Information submitted by interested parties in response to the RFI will be used by the S&T Cyber Security Division (CSD) to prepare a report to Congress focused on mobile-device security. This study is authorized by the Cybersecurity Act of 2015, which requires DHS to “conduct a study on threats relating to the security of the mobile devices used by the Federal Government, and submit a report detailing the findings and recommendations arising from such study.” The study is expected to be delivered to Congress in December 2016.
S&T notes that the RFI is an information-gathering procedure only and will not result in a procurement by the federal government.
CSD’s mission is to enhance the security and resilience of the U.S. critical information infrastructure and the Internet by developing and delivering new technologies, tools, and techniques to defend against cyberattacks.
