Officials with the Department of Homeland Security met recently with leaders in business, technology and cybersecurity to discuss collaboration between government and private sectors to proactively combat cybersecurity threats.
The department announced the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative on its website Dec. 7. The purpose of the meeting was to explore ways the two entities can "better and more proactively partner to tackle the most pressing cybersecurity challenges," the announcement states.
“Cybersecurity threats impact individuals, communities, and organizations of all sizes," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorka said in the announcement. "Increasing nationwide cybersecurity resilience is a top priority for DHS and the Biden-Harris Administration. We are taking proactive steps to elevate our operational cooperation with the private sector to new heights, prioritizing our shared goal of defending a secure digital future.”
The meeting centered on improving the public-private partnership in fighting cybercrimes by improving collaboration through shared, defined goals, according to the announcement. Discussions focused on studying ways they can work together to "build global cybersecurity resilience," the department stated.
Joining Mayorkas at the meeting were National Cyber Director Chris Inglis, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Jen Easterly, and DHS Under Secretary for Policy Rob Silvers. Industry leaders in attendance represented corporations including AT&T, Google, Microsoft, SecureWorks and others, according to the announcement.
“Cybersecurity is a team sport and we each have a vital role to play,” Inglis said of the collaboration, saying he "welcomed" the chance to build relationships with Silicon Valley.
CISA director Easterly described the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative as the "front door to government for cybersecurity defense."
"The JCDC brings together in one place the talent, expertise,and capabilities of the federal cybersecurity ecosystem with the ingenuity, innovation, and imagination of the private sector," Easterly said.
