This week Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff likened the National Cyber Security Initiative to the Manhattan Project. Also this week, DHS finished what could be called the Trinity Test of the Cyber Initiative, an exercise known as Cyber Storm II. A full after action analysis won't be completed until the end of summer, but early reports indicate that the results were mixed. Ten chemical companies took part in the simulated attacks which highlighted the many of the management and governance issues that will arise between the government and private organizations that will make this national defense priority different from any before it.

DHS watchers should check out this fact sheet released Tuesday which details the DHS's initiatives and programs. Most interesting are the new National Cyber Security Center and the efforts within US-CERT, which has a FY09 budget request of $109 MM, 42% higher than the FY08 appropriation. 80% of these dollars are slated for hardware and software, with another 10% for services.

However, like the original Manhattan Project, the Cyber Initiative will involve many parties beyond DHS, including DNI and the Air Force Cyber Command. Additionally, at this week's INPUT Federal Breakfast, Navy CIO Robert Carey indicated that he spends much of his time focused on security matters and expects significant involvement in the Comprehensive National Cyber Initiative. Robert indicated that more information will be forthcoming -- stay tuned.