DHS Seeks Maritime Port Infrastructure Information from U.S. Port Community

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) published a Request for Information (RFI) for commercial port operators to advance the work of the Directorate’s Maritime Port Resiliency and Security Research Testbed project, which studies vulnerabilities in U.S. ports and the effectiveness of current protections and mitigations. Based on the information it receives, S&T will provide actionable cybersecurity recommendations that the maritime port industry can implement to ensure safe and efficient maritime commerce.

The United States Maritime Transportation System (MTS) is a sophisticated network of waterways, ports, and intermodal connections that facilitates the movement of people and goods on the water and supports recreational use by the public. The S&T Maritime Port Resiliency and Security Research Testbed activity supports the Department’s mission to protect this multifaceted system by studying port networks to understand how resources are deployed and to identify research, development, test, and evaluation needs that are unique to the MTS. The Testbed effort aims to better understand how commercial port operators deploy their information technology and operational technology systems, the resiliency of these systems, and what improvements can be made to DHS’ regulatory authority to enhance the cybersecurity of national ports.

Interested organizations in the port infrastructure space are encouraged to visit the RFI on Sam.gov. The deadline for RFI submissions is October 4, 2024, at 5 PM ET. More information about the Maritime Safety and Security Program can be found on S&T’s website: https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/maritime-border-security.