The National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) was a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) prior to being reorganized and renamed as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in November 2018.
NPPD’s mission was focused on safeguarding and ensuring the resilience of critical national infrastructure, reducing risks to physical, cyber, and communications infrastructures, and aiding stakeholders in the federal government, state and local governments, and the private sector.
Here are some of the key functions and responsibilities of the NPPD:
- Cybersecurity: NPPD worked to protect federal systems and networks from cyber threats. It played a significant role in addressing cyber vulnerabilities and collaborating with other entities to bolster cybersecurity nationwide.
- Critical Infrastructure Protection: NPPD worked to enhance the security and resilience of the nation’s vital physical and cyber infrastructure sectors. These sectors included energy, transportation, water systems, and more.
- Risk Management and Analysis: The directorate assessed and provided information on threats to infrastructure, offering guidance on risk management and mitigation strategies.
- Communications: NPPD was involved in ensuring the security and resilience of communication systems, particularly in emergency situations.
- Federal Protective Service (FPS): Under the umbrella of the NPPD, the FPS was responsible for safeguarding federal facilities, their occupants, and visitors.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination: NPPD worked in collaboration with various stakeholders, including federal, state, local, tribal, and private sector entities, to create a unified approach to infrastructure protection.
- Training and Exercises: NPPD organized training sessions and exercises to simulate potential threats and responses, ensuring preparedness across various scenarios.
The transition from NPPD to CISA was intended to streamline and strengthen the department’s efforts in cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection. The change reflected the growing importance of cybersecurity in national defense and the need for a unified agency dedicated to these concerns.