DHS Cyber Attack Protection Fact Sheet

Information technology has grown to provide both government and the private sector with an efficient and timely means of delivering essential services around the world. As a result, these critical systems remain at risk from potential attacks via the Internet. It is the policy of the United States to prevent or minimize disruptions to our critical information infrastructure in order to protect the public, the economy, government services, and the national security of the United States.

The Federal Government is continually increasing capabilities to address cyber risk associated with critical networks and information systems. On January 8, 2008, President Bush approved National Security Presidential Directive 54/Homeland Security Presidential Directive 23, which formalized a series of continuous efforts designed to further safeguard Federal Government systems and reduce potential vulnerabilities, protect against intrusion attempts, and better anticipate future threats.

While efforts to protect our Federal network systems from cyber attacks remain a collaborative, government-wide effort, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has the lead responsibility for assuring the security, resiliency and reliability of the Nation's Information Technology (IT) and communications infrastructure. Current measures to prevent future attacks and intrusion attempts include: