DHS plans cybersecurity wiki

The Homeland Security Department plans to develop a “cyber ops wiki” that agencies can use to improve collaboration on cybersecurity efforts, according to a notice from the department.

The wiki will be used by DHS’ National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) and the six other federal cybersecurity centers as a collaboration tool and a way to develop improved situational awareness, communication and information sharing, DHS said in a notice published on Aug. 11 on the Federal Business Opportunities Web site.

Amy Kudwa, a DHS spokeswoman, said "NCSC is engaging industry expertise to develop a Web 2.0/3.0-enabled collaboration platform — this is an important piece of the larger NCSC vision of meaningful collaboration across government."

DHS' NCSC was established during the George W. Bush administration to coordinate cybersecurity efforts across the government. Phil Reitinger, DHS' deputy undersecretary of the department’s National Protection and Programs Directorate now leads the center.

"The 'cyber ops wiki' ... will provide a capability for near-real-time information sharing and collaboration on cyber security incidents, as well as be a repository of technical information," Kudwa said. She added that DHS envisions that when completed the wiki "will leverage the individual strengths and technical competencies" of the government's cybersecurity centers run by defense, civilian, intelligence and law enforcement departments and agencies.

DHS said in the notice it intends to negotiate and award a sole-source contract with an company named WiiKnoInc based in Austin, Texas, to work on the project.