The CERT Division
The CERT Division is a leader in cybersecurity. We partner with government, industry, law enforcement, and academia to improve the security and resilience of computer systems and networks. We study problems that have widespread cybersecurity implications and develop advanced methods and tools to counter large-scale, sophisticated cyber threats.
What We Do
CERT experts are a diverse group of researchers, software engineers, security analysts, and digital intelligence specialists working together to research security vulnerabilities in software products, contribute to long-term changes in networked systems, and develop cutting-edge information and training to improve the practice of cybersecurity.
Our connection to the internationally known Carnegie Mellon University creates multidisciplinary collaboration opportunities and amplifies our research abilities.
Autonomy Security and Resilience
Develop and sustain security, resilience, and assurance best practices for the development, construction, and employment of machine learning systems.
Cybersecurity Center Development
Develop measurable and repeatable practices to prepare CSIRTs and other operational security organizations.
Cybersecurity Engineering
Develop methods for engineering mission-essential capabilities that balance security and resiliency with mission performance.
Cyber Workforce Development
Develop and maintain a well-equipped cyber workforce that is immediately able to support the cybersecurity needs of organizations.
Recently Published Vulnerabilities
VU#138043: A stack-based overflow vulnerability exists in the Microchip Advanced Software Framework (ASF) implementation of the tinydhcp server
September 19, 2024
Case Studies
Cyber Lightning Case Study
The SEI hosted Cyber Lightning, a three-day joint training exercise involving Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units from western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio.
SEI Hosts Crisis Simulation Exercise for Cyber Intelligence Research Consortium
In SEI crisis simulation exercises, participants use scenarios that present fictitious malicious actors and environmental factors based on real-world events.
USPS Case Study
The SEI teamed with the U.S. Postal Service to help it improve its cybersecurity and resilience and collaborated on a program to develop a strong cybersecurity workforce.
History
The CERT Division is the birthplace of cybersecurity. For nearly 30 years, the CERT Division of the SEI has partnered with government, industry, law enforcement, and academia to advance cybersecurity and improve the security and resilience of computer systems and networks.
Originally focused on incident response, we have expanded into cybersecurity areas such as network situational awareness, malicious code analysis, secure coding, resilience management, insider threats, digital investigations and intelligence, workforce development, DevOps, forensics, software assurance, vulnerability discovery and analysis, and risk management.
Former Director Richard Pethia
Richard Pethia was founding director of the SEI's CERT Division. Pethia, who served as director of CERT from 1988 to 2016, guided the organization through tremendous growth and change. Under Pethia's leadership, the unit expanded and evolved from the CERT Coordination Center—a small group focused on computer incident response—to a research organization of more than 200 professionals dedicated to solving problems with widespread cybersecurity implications.