ChicagoFIRST sums up recent cyber attack exercises

ChicagoFIRST has been addressing cyber security issues locally and nationally with recently completed exercises exploring these threats, as well as the private sector's potential response to an attack.

As private sector business continuity and security programs continue to expand their focus on preparedness for and response to a cyber attack, ChicagoFIRST has been working with local and federal government officials to link the public and private sectors' activities.

During the fourth quarter of 2009, ChicagoFIRST partnered with the US Department of Homeland Security's National Cyber Security Division to develop and sponsor two day-long cyber security workshops and tabletop exercises. The first event, which took place in October, was developed for and hosted by BARCfirst, the Bay Area Response Coalition, in San Francisco. The second, which took place in December, was completed in coordination with NCRfirst, the National Capitol Region coalition, in Washington, D.C. In addition to the critical private sector members of these coalitions, both of these events included participation from regional US Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and US Department of Homeland Security officials.

At the local level, ChicagoFIRST conducted its sixth annual tabletop exercise on December 10, 2009. More than 65 representatives of ChicagoFIRST and its Strategic Partners attended the exercise, which focused on both physical security and cyber security attacks, and emphasized the need for physical security managers and cyber security managers to collaborate before, during, and after an attack.

"In the current economic climate, some companies could be tempted to cut corners in the areas of security and business continuity, but the high level of participation in both the recent local and national cyber security exercises demonstrates the strong commitment ChicagoFIRST members and RPCfirst members and all levels of government have in actively addressing these issues," said Brian Tishuk, executive director of ChicagoFIRST.

www.chicagofirst.org

•Date: 12th Jan 2010 • Region: US •Type: Article •Topic: BC exercising
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