DoD Cyber Exchange is a program that has been created for the purpose of providing the Defense Department with a secure and easy way to exchange information and technology with other agencies within the military. This is a great way for the military to find out more about other organizations and how they can work together.
The Cyber and Information Technology Exchange Program, more commonly known as CITEP for short, is a governmental initiative that offers private sector entities the opportunity to improve their cybersecurity knowledge base and share best practices. Among other things, it has given private organizations a chance to participate in a multi-tiered learning experience, ranging from the most basic to the highest levels of sophistication. Aside from its educational benefits, CITEP also offers the opportunity to partner with industry leaders.
The CITEP is part of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) efforts to protect DoD systems and infrastructure. This includes information security, enterprise architecture, data management, and more. Various initiatives are in place to keep DoD assets secure and make communicating with one another easier. For instance, the IASE portal has over five million users per year. Moreover, the DoD has established the SIPR as a focal point for training and education. It is also home to the Cyber Awareness Challenge Course, which is a good ole’ fashioned cyber education course.
The CITEP’s most impressive feat is its ability to bring together an array of mission-critical technologies. From Cybersecurity-as-a-Service to crowdsourced threat sharing, the DoD has taken a holistic approach to cybersecurity. As with other areas of the DoD, contractors must adhere to strict guidelines to remain in compliance. Specifically, they must comply with the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), to name but a few. If they fail to do so, they could see their approved vendor status sullied and face penalties.
In addition to the DFARS, the department has a number of other programs in place to improve cybersecurity, such as the Defense Industrial Base Collaborative Information Sharing Environment (DIB CISE). Designed to help safeguard DoD content on contractor networks, DIB CISE provides mitigation strategies and the latest in technology to protect and safeguard DoD assets and intellectual property. Several other related programs, such as the DIB Integrated Cyber Security Management (ICSM) program, are designed to improve the state of cybersecurity within the Defense department.
While the DoD has withdrawn its support from the DoD Cyber Exchange in March 2018, its predecessor – the Information Assurance Support Environment (IASE) – has remained in place. It was originally implemented on the Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router Network (NICP) but has been expanded to include the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPR).
What is DoD Cyber Exchange Program?
The DoD has several programs and initiatives to improve the military branch’s cyber footprint. Among them is the new DoD Cyber Exchange. Its motto is “to improve the cyber footprint of the Defense Department and to provide guidance, support, and training to all DoD Cyber units.” Aside from DoD’s own programs, the organization also partners with the US Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Science Foundation, to name a few. The exchange combines programs and services into a single hub for the unified management of information technology. As with other DHC units, the organization’s primary focus is on protecting military and government information assets. For example, it operates a secure network for military healthcare providers. In addition, it manages health and wellness data for more than 2 million military service members, their families, and other federal employees. This organization is also home to the nation’s largest repository of information technology records. To keep the flow of cyber information flowing, the organization has a centralized command and control center and an extensive network of information sharing and security centers.
The DoD Cyber Information Technology Exchange Program is designed to promote knowledge exchange among private sector organizations and the Department of Defense. It also allows for the sharing of best practices.
Interested students can apply to the program by visiting the DoD program’s website. Applications are accepted from all academic and non-academic organizations.
Scholarships are available for undergraduate and graduate students. Scholarships are paid to cover tuition costs, room, and board, and books. Students can earn up to $27,000 per year if their applications are approved. In addition, additional allowances are available for disabled students.
The DoD CIO Cybersecurity Directorate is responsible for administering the program. Applicants must submit a service commitment agreement to select the agency that they would like to intern with. Applicants must also obtain a security clearance. If an applicant fails to obtain a security clearance, they may be dismissed from the program.
The DoD CySP program is designed for students who wish to enter the cybersecurity field or who have a desire to circumvent national-level threats. However, applicants should be aware that the program is not designed for those already employed by the DoD or receiving funds from another scholarship program.
Those interested in applying to the DoD CySP must be enrolled full-time at a college or university that is a recognized part of the program. They must also have a GS-11 or higher. There are a variety of internships that can occur during summer or other breaks between school terms.
DoD will also make every effort to assign qualified students to agencies without restrictions. However, there are no guarantees of future award opportunities.
Students wishing to apply for the Cyber and Information Technology Exchange Program can do so through the DoD’s online portal. Applications are due on February 1, 2023. All applications will be reviewed by the School of Computer and Cyber Sciences, and a recommendation for acceptance will be provided. After a student is accepted, they will be required to participate in a local review process. Once they complete the local review, their scores will be submitted to the DoD review board.
How to use DoD Cyber Exchange?
DoD Cyber Exchange was formerly known as the Information Technology Exchange Program (ITEP) and the Cyber and Information Technology Exchange Program (CITESP). The program provides an opportunity for private-sector organizations to learn about and address cross-sector IT issues. CITEP also offers an opportunity for the private sector to share best practices with the DoD.
The DoD PKI is a hierarchical system that issues software certificates to support applications. This type of certificate is a digital key which includes a public and a private key. These keys allow secure connections. The DoD PKI issues digital certificates to individual users and non-person entities, such as web servers, routers, applications, and network devices. Certificates provide an individual’s identity and are used for identifying a website.
There are two types of certificates – DoD and personal. DoD certificates are associated with a person’s CAC. Individuals who have been assigned a DoD certificate are able to access DoD websites through their Internet browser. If a CAC-enabled web site is not trusted, the browser may prompt the user with a message to try again. Users who receive warnings about untrusted sites should install DoD certificates. A list of external PKIs can be found on the External and Federal PKI Interoperability page.
To use the DoD Cyber Exchange, users must be able to navigate to a DoD website. For information about how to access the DoD website, visit the End User page. Those who wish to download the DoD InstallRoot tool can access it from the DoD Cyber Exchange website. However, instructions for installing the tool only apply to Windows computers. You can also contact DISA for assistance with the InstallRoot tool.
DISA offers a variety of courses to help users maintain their cybersecurity skills. In addition, the agency produces a quarterly newsletter, Dateline DISA, which features an in-depth article on a cybersecurity topic. DISA also offers refresher trainings for users annually. Additionally, DISA’s Cyber Corner will launch in May and feature weekly bite-sized takeaways on cyber topics.