Northrop Grumman has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that will enable the expansion of cybersecurity protections for the nation's critical infrastructure.

Northrop Grumman is now starting the security accreditation process which is required before approval to operate as a commercial services provider under the DHS Enhanced Cybersecurity Services (ECS) program.

ECS is an information-sharing program to assist critical infrastructure owners and operators in enhancing the cybersecurity protections of their information systems from unauthorized access, exploitation and data exfiltration.

Under ECS, DHS will share classified and unclassified cyber threat "indicators" with designated Commercial Service Providers, and the Commercial Services Providers will utilize the threat indicators to provide approved cybersecurity services to authorized critical infrastructure entities.

"The Enhanced Cybersecurity Services program is a smart way to extend cyber protections to assets, networks and systems that are vital to the security of our country," said Jim Myers, vice president and general manager, Cyber Solutions division, Northrop Grumman Information Systems.

"As a leader in cybersecurity, we understand that securing our critical infrastructure against cyber intrusion is essential to our economic well-being and national security."

Northrop Grumman is an industry leader in all aspects of computer network operations and cybersecurity, offering customers innovative solutions to help secure the nation's cyber future.

In July 2012, the company announced that it had joined forces with AREVA Inc. to provide cybersecurity protection support for the nuclear industry. The alliance is in response to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's call for commercial nuclear facilities to develop and implement cybersecurity plans.