Computer Emergency Response Team and the CERT Coordination Center

A center for Internet security founded in 1988 following the Morris worm incident. At that time, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) charged Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute (SEI) with developing a communication coordination center to connect experts during security emergencies and to help prevent future intrusion incidents. Because of the rapid development of the Internet, the amount of damage and the difficulties in detecting intrusions have increased dramatically. Therefore, the role of the CERT/CC has been expanded in recent years. CERT/CC has become part of the SEI Networked Systems Survivability Program, with its main purpose being to make sure that the right systems management practices and technology are employed to not only thwart attacks on networked systems but also limit the damage done so that critical services can continue. With the development of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the US-CERT has been established as a partnership between the DHS and the public and private sectors, mandated to enhance computer security preparedness and response to cyber attacks against the United States.

See Also: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA); Department of Homeland Security (DHS); Morris worm; US-CERT.