Northrop teams with DHS to expand cybersecurity protections

Northrop Grumman has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Homeland Security Department to expand cybersecurity protections for the nation’s critical infrastructure.

The company is currently starting the security accreditation process required before approval to operate as a commercial services provider under the DHS Enhanced Cybersecurity Services program.

The program is an information-sharing program to assist critical infrastructure owners and operators in enhancing the cybersecurity protections of their information systems from unauthorized access, exploitation and data exfiltration, Northrop Grumman said in a release.

The department will share classified cyber threat “indicators” with designated commercial service providers, and the commercial services providers will use the threat indicators to provide approved cybersecurity services to authorized critical infrastructure entities, the company said.

"The Enhanced Cybersecurity Services program is a smart way to extend cyber protections to assets, networks and systems that are vital to the security of our country," said Jim Myers, vice president and general manager, Cyber Solutions division, Northrop Grumman Information Systems.