**GAO-08-588**                      Published: Jul 31, 2008. Publicly Released: Sep 16, 2008.                  

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## Highlights

Cyber analysis and warning capabilities are critical to thwarting computer-based (cyber) threats and attacks. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) to, among other things, coordinate the nation's efforts to prepare for, prevent, and respond to cyber threats to systems and communications networks. GAO's objectives were to (1) identify key attributes of cyber analysis and warning capabilities, (2) compare these attributes with US-CERT's current capabilities to identify whether there are gaps, and (3) identify US-CERT's challenges to developing and implementing key attributes and a successful national cyber analysis and warning capability. To address these objectives, GAO identified and analyzed related documents, observed operations at numerous entities, and interviewed responsible officials and experts.

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## Recommendations for Executive Action

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## Topics

Homeland Security

Comparative analysisComputer networksComputer securityCritical infrastructureCyber securityData collectionFederal intelligence agenciesGovernment information disseminationHackersHomeland securityInformation managementInformation securityInternal controlsOperations researchRisk managementSecurity assessmentsSecurity threatsSoftwareStrategic planningSystems analysisSystems designSystems integritySystems monitoringTechnologyTerrorismWarning systems