Mandiant^®, the leader in advanced threat detection and response solutions, announced it has been named as one of four companies certified to respond effectively to cyber security attacks via a new program, “Cyber Incident Response,” launched today by CESG, the Information Assurance arm of Government Communications Headquarters - one of the United Kingdom’s three intelligence agencies and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI).

“The growing cyber threat makes it inevitable that attacks will get through both where basic security is not implemented, and when targeted by a highly capable attacker,” said Chloe Smith, Minister for Cyber Security. “Cyber Incident Response services provide access to organizations certified by CESG/CPNI to respond effectively to cyber incidents. Together, GCHQ, CPNI, the incident response industry, and victims of cyber attack – can improve the cyber security of the UK; that is good for security, good for business and good for the UK’s prosperity.”

The new cyber security venture will be a CESG/CPNI quality-assured service providing assistance to organizations impacted by a cyber security incident. Primarily aimed at the public sector and organizations composing the UK’s critical national infrastructure, the pilot program will initially consist of four companies chosen for their knowledge and experience and selected by CESG/CPNI to work in partnership to provide response services. Built on the “10 Steps to Cyber Security” launched in September by the UK Government and aimed at providing advice to business leaders on measures to increase cyber security within their own organizations, “Cyber Incident Response” also supports the delivery of UK Cyber Security Strategy.

“We’re very pleased to have been selected by GCHQ to help protect and secure UK infrastructure,” said Mandiant Vice President of Professional Services, Steve Surdu. “Mandiant has extensive experience investigating and resolving network intrusions in very complex environments around the world. We are looking forward to applying that experience to assist organizations facing these types of incidents. Bringing together government and private industry as strategic partners will provide organizations with greater access to the information, technologies and tactics that will allow them to successfully respond to incidents and improve their defenses against future attacks.”

About Mandiant®

Mandiant is the leader in advanced threat detection and response solutions. Mandiant’s products and services protect the world’s most valuable data every day from targeted attacks. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, with offices in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, Mandiant’s customers include Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, government agencies, domestic and foreign police departments, and the world’s leading law firms. The authors of 12 books and quoted frequently by leading media organizations, Mandiant security consultants and engineers hold top government security clearances and advanced degrees from some of the leading computer science programs. To learn more about Mandiant visit www.mandiant.com, read the company blog, M-Unition™, follow on Twitter @Mandiant or Facebook at www.facebook.com/mandiantcorp.

About CESG

CESG is the UK Government's National Technical Authority for Information Assurance (IA) and is the IA arm of GCHQ. CESG protects the vital interests of the UK by providing policy and assistance on the security of communications and electronic data, working in partnership with industry and academia www.cesg.gov.uk

About GCHQ

GCHQ is one of the three UK intelligence agencies. Further information can be found at: www.gchq.gov.uk

About CPNI

CPNI is the government authority on protective security in relation to national security threat. It provides advice to businesses and organizations across the national infrastructure covering physical personnel and cyber security/information assurance. www.cpni.gov.uk