On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) issued a Request for Information (RFI) in regard to port information technology infrastructure.
According to the agency, the information from commercial port operators will help S&T researchers at the Directorate’s Maritime Port Resiliency and Security Research Testbed project study port vulnerabilities and the effectiveness of current protection efforts. Once researchers get the information, they will be able to provide actionable cybersecurity recommendations, officials said, to help the maritime port industry ensure commerce in the ports remains safe and efficient.
The U.S. Maritime Transportation System (MTS) is a network of waterways, ports, and intermodal connections supporting the movement of goods and people on the nations water. The S&T Maritime Port Resiliency and Security Research Testbed activity support’s the department’s mission to protect port networks and better understand how commercial port operators deploy their information technology and operational technology systems, and what DHS regulators can do to enhance port cybersecurity.
“This effort is expanding collaboration between S&T and industry experts to address the growing need for effective cybersecurity measures to ensure safe and efficient maritime commerce,” S&T Project Manager Jason McCasland said. “Our goal is to successfully design and develop a virtual testbed where tactics, techniques, and procedures can be created for effective response to threats to critical maritime infrastructure without impacting real-world operations. For that to be successful, we require baseline information on the equipment U.S. ports are utilizing in their daily operations.”
The RFI is available on SAM.gov. Deadline for the RFI is 5 p.m. on Oct. 4, 2024.