DHS signs research cooperation agreement with root9B

COLORADO SPRINGS, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has signed a research and development agreement with root9B to collaborate on cybersecurity solutions.

Under the Collaborative Research and Development Agreement with the department, root9B will be tasked to work with the department to improve the U.S. government's computer network defense infrastructure.

The company has been contracted for similar services before by the the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the U.S. military. The agreement will focus on developing cybersecurity capabilities for the U.S. government.

"We are very excited about the opportunity to collaborate with the Department of Homeland Security," root9B CEO Eric Hipkins said in a statement. "This agreement -- focused on sharing technology and analytical findings -- enhances root9B's ability to deliver cyber threat solutions, and offer advanced threat training that represents our commitment to protecting the Nation's critical infrastructure."

Shared tasks between root9B and DHS will include developing and sharing indicators regarding the vulnerabilities of the U.S. government's infrastructure, providing a forum to share the information, and implementing analytical collaboration.