NIST Awards $5M to Boost Infrastructure Security

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

http://www.washtech.com/news/govtit/12854-1.html

By Kyle Balluck,
Washtech.com Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 2, 2001; 3:39 PM

The Gaithersburg-based National Institute of Standards and Technology
today said it has awarded $5 million in funding for research to
enhance the security of electrical grids, air traffic control systems
and other infrastructure.

The Critical Infrastructure Protection Grants Program grants are aimed
at speeding efforts to secure computer and telecommunications systems
that support essential services. Program officials said the security
efforts are needed because many critical infrastructures are
increasingly automated and interdependent.

NIST awarded nine grants to five companies, three universities and two
commercial/academic partnerships. Among the awards to regional
companies:

* The University of Maryland and NAI Labs in Glenwood, Md., received
  $861,000 to develop a secure wireless infrastructure test bed used
  to research security testing of wireless communication. 

* Decision Science Associates in Vienna and Bethesda-based Lockheed
  Martin will split $100,000 to develop ways to measure the
  effectiveness of computer intrusion detection systems. 

* CygnaCom Solutions of McLean will receive $84,000 to develop ways
  to evaluate the security of computer systems, focusing on the
  security of individual components and larger systems. 

Richard A. Clarke, national coordinator for security, critical
infrastructure and counter-terrorism at the National Security Council,
described the grants in a statement as an important down payment
toward addressing existing cyber challenges.



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