The Department of Homeland Security is offering up to $11 million in grants to develop a standards framework for the Information Sharing and Analysis Organizations (ISAOs) proposed by executive order in February.
The ISAOs, once established, will act as a conduit between private industry and public institutions to share cyber threat information. The initiative — being managed by DHS and the component National Protection and Programs Directorate — is intended to be a secure means for industry and government to stay on top of pressing cybersecurity issues, increasing the entire nation’s security posture.
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The winning applicant will receive a grant between $10 million and $11 million to “create standards to assist in the widespread establishment of ISAOs and the mechanisms by which they function and interact with the government and across the private sector,” according to a posting on Grants.gov (opportunity number: DHS-15-NPPD-128-001).
The standards will cover how organizations can voluntarily participate in the ISAOs, the framework for how the sharing programs will be organized, how information will be shared between organizations and how the government will use the information being collected.
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DHS officials will work closely with the winning applicant to ensure the appropriate standards are created and that they mesh with federal and international standards and laws.
The documents will also be put out for public review and comment before being finalized.
Applicants must fit into one of the following eligibility categories to be considered:
- Private institutions of higher education;
- Public and state institutions of higher education;
- Nonprofits, including those with 501(c)3 status;
- For profit organizations other than small businesses; or
- Small businesses.
Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by July 17.
