Protecting Government Networks

DHS is responsible for overseeing the protection of the.gov domain and for providing assistance and expertise to private sector owners and operators.  The agency’s work benefits the information technology community and the public at-large.

Detecting and Responding to Malicious Activity

DHS uses intrusion detection tools to monitor .gov network traffic for malicious activity and uses this resulting data to address cyber vulnerabilities.

In addition, DHS issues bulletins and alerts that provide information on potential cyber threats. Last year, DHS issued more the 5,000 alerts and advisories, which it shared with various government, private sector, and critical infrastructure stakeholders; as well as the public.

DHS also operates a cyber information coordination center, the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC), and several operational units.  These units respond to incidents and provide technical assistance to information system operators. The NCCIC coordinates the information collected through these channels to create a common operating picture for cyber communities across all levels of government and the private sector.

Ensuring Security and Resilience in the Cyber Ecosystem

DHS activities help ensure the security and resiliency of the .gov network, enabling citizens to reliably access Federal Government information and services. DHS’s assistance to the private sector and critical infrastructure efforts to secure their own cyber networks helps the nation’s overall cybersecurity posture.