The cybersecurity division within the Department of Homeland Security‘s science and technology directorate has launched a research project that aims to establish a cyber threat notification strategy to help protect small businesses.DHS said Tuesday the Dissect Cyber project works to develop and validate ways to alert small businesses about internet- and email-based threats ahead of time and without any fee.
“These advance notifications enable companies to take steps to avoid being victimized,” said Ann Cox, manager of the cybersecurity division’s Internet Measurement and Attack Modeling program.
Dissect Cyber, which is part of IMAM, monitors potential scams and activity such as web domain spoofing in efforts to inform companies listed in the System for Award Management database and minimize impact to their business.
DHS noted the project’s cybersecurity notification team consists of military veterans who work to contact affected companies via phone and email to provide details about the threat and steps to defend against it.
The team aims to eventually support round-the-clock notifications with a 90-percent goal for the delivery of alerts within two hours and 100 percent within 24 hours, the department added.
