Newswise — WASHINGTON – On April 12, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will officially launch their Critical Infrastructure Resilience Institute (CIRI) Center of Excellence. Led by the University of Illinois, CIRI is developing new technologies and business approaches to improve the security and resiliency of critical infrastructure. Private entities own and operate most of the nation’s critical infrastructures. The need for more knowledge, resources and tools to protect these entities from cyber-attacks and complications is essential to the nation’s security.

As the recipient of a competitive five year, up to $20 million grant from S&T, CIRI will help to facilitate the private-public partnerships necessary to protect these systems. With its grant, S&T is positioning CIRI to act as a national thought leader and hub for impactful research hub. CIRI is an association of 16 universities, national laboratories, and private companies dedicated to conducting research, creating tools and educating the public.

Tuesday, April 12

8:30 AM EST CIRI, S&T, and the University of Illinois will host the CIRI Kickoff Event featuring remarks by S&T Director of the Office of University Programs Matt Clark; Deputy Assistant Secretary of the DHS Office of Infrastructure Protection Bob Kolasky; University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen; and other DHS and university officials. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Electrical and Computer Engineering BuildingRoom 3002306 N Wright St.Urbana, Ill. OPEN PRESS

For more information, please visit ciri.illinois.edu.