DHS Secretary Napolitano Occupies Wall Street to Spotlight Cyber Security Awareness

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today, Tuesday, Oct. 18, traveled to New York City to visit the NASDAQ MarketSite in Times Square and ring the Opening Bell alongside private sector partners. Secretary Napolitano then joined U.S. Secret Service Assistant Director for Investigations A. T. Smith and National Protection and Programs Directorate NPPD Acting Deputy Under Secretary Greg Schaffer for a roundtable discussion with cybersecurity partners from law enforcement and the private sector to discuss efforts to combat cyber crime, as part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

DHS is proud to work closely with the banking and financial services sector to share information and expertise, identify potential vulnerabilities, reduce risk, and improve our resiliency to potential disruptions, said Secretary Napolitano.

Secretary Napolitano underscored the Department’s commitment to working with its partners to create a safe, secure, and resilient cyber environment that supports critical infrastructure and fosters national economic prosperity. The Secret Service, along with their federal law enforcement colleagues, works with the private sector; the state, local and international law enforcement community; and academia through 31 electronic crimes task forces that share expertise and resources to combat electronic crimes such as identity theft, network intrusions and a range of financial crimes.

Secretary Napolitano also highlighted efforts to enhance the federal government capacity to protect against other crimes that have a cyber element. These include human trafficking, the sale of counterfeit goods, and child exploitation. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Cyber Crimes Center supports domestic and international investigations into computer-based transnational crime and provides training to federal, state, local and international law enforcement agencies.

About National Cyber Security Awareness Month President Obama signed a proclamation designating October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month, an opportunity to engage public and private sector stakeholders, as well as the general public, to create a safe, secure, and resilient cyber environment. Since 2004, the event has been formally recognized by Federal, state and local governments, as well as industry and academia. In 2010, governors from across the country joined President Obama in signing proclamations declaring October National Cyber Security Awareness Month.