Government, private IT address cyber threats

The Homeland Security Department has revealed that its National Cyber Security Initiative will include enhancing the current cyber intrusion detection system, working more closely with the private sector and focusing on foreign threats. "Cybersecurity really is one of the top priorities of the Department of Homeland Security and the federal government," said Paul Schneider, deputy secretary for DHS. He made his comments at a forum hosted by the Information Technology Association of America.

Schneider said a key to the effort will be deployment of "a much more aggressive system that will allow us to look for patterns of malicious code--to shut them down before they do real harm."

He added that the plan will include a specific focus on cyberthreats from foreign governments. Robert Jamison, DHS undersecretary for national protection and programs, said the department is currently working closely with three different vendors to test its system in different environments, but declined to name the contractors.

For more on cyber threats:
- see this cnet.com news article