Small Businesses are Better Equipped to Prevent Cybercrime. DHS’s Recent Funding Will Aid Their Research.

Since the inception of the internet, cybercrime has been a concern. The escalating wave of cyber threats necessitates cutting-edge defenses to safeguard our digital realm. Recognizing this, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently awarded $3.15 million to 20 small businesses for proof-of-concept research in cybersecurity. Given that small businesses contributed to 44 percent of U.S. economic activity in 2020, this support can drive vital innovations in the field.

But, does this funding program go far enough, and what additional areas of research should be prioritized? Does this mark a paradigm shift in how we approach the fight against cybercrime?

Examining this recent funding, Joan Ross, an Adjunct Cybersecurity Professor at St. Martin’s University, posed several questions on this. She offered insight into the seven areas of focus within the DHS program and presented her views on further areas that require exploration and funding.

Ross further explored:

• The essentiality of accurate real-time detection in the current cyber threat landscape.
• The importance of focusing on supply chain capabilities, first responder credentialing, and reduced order modeling of critical infrastructure.
• Ross’s call for additional funding for behavioral analysis combined with data science and exploration of passive observation capabilities.

Joan Ross brings over 30 years of experience as a technologist and working professional in the cybersecurity industry. As an adjunct professor of Incident Response at St. Martin’s University, her insights stem from deep experience and a firm grasp of the ongoing changes in the cybersecurity landscape.