Mission Support

ZRA specializes in delivering mission support services customized for the Cyber & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). ZRA's deeply experienced and credentialed practitioners focus on the unique issues that CISA confronts in developing new capabilities, services, and competencies. We maintain fluency in CISA needs through our experience within each of the major CISA executive offices, understanding of CISA programs, and cleared staff that have suitability as well as an appreciation for the complexity of CISA's national mission. This specialization facilitates effective and cost-efficient mission support.

ZRA is Familiar with CISA Needs

ZRA has significant experience in building and managing complex programs with the Federal Government, and with CISA specifically. We have worked on projects across CISA, supporting CSD, NRMC, and SED. This gives us valuable insight into the agency's strategic and operational needs. We can anticipate issues and mitigate them in advance, enabling mission resilience. We also have strong awareness of CISA's operating environment, from stakeholder requirements to emerging threat trends to changes in the policy/regulatory landscape. With our comprehensive focus on CISA- relevant governance, interagency processes, policy, political institutions and engagement strategies, we ensure projects run seamlessly

ZRA is Familiar with CISA Needs

ZRA's credentialed practitioners are fluent in the language and landscape unique to CISA, which allows us to meet the Agency's needs on a shorter learning curve and with greater effectiveness than generic consulting companies. Our experience integrating planning and execution activities adds accountability and efficiency throughout the project lifecycle to ensure mission objectives, cost, budget, and key stakeholder requirements align throughout the process. ZRA implements programs that have been tested and proven in the private sector ensuring all performance standards and service delivery goals are met or exceeded on a consistent basis.

ZRA is Familiar with CISA Needs

ZRA implements programs that have been tested and proven in the private sector ensuring all performance standards and service delivery goals are met or exceeded on a consistent basis. Our disciplined project management methodology preserves the rigor required to keep a mission on schedule and within budget, exceeding the expectations of project stakeholders. We leverage a full range of management, organization, and business improvement services using cutting edge best practices to ensure your mission is achieved with precision and cost effectiveness.

Finance and Acquistion Management

ZRA provides leading-edge financial and acquisition support to help CISA secure consistent funding and maximize efficiency amidst expanding operational needs and tightening budgets. ZRA fully understands the strategic trends that are impacting CISA's budget. We can formulate budget plans that meet current and future needs. We also have expertise in managing acquisitions to ensure compliance and efficiency. Our subject matter expertise includes business, law, technology, and policy, informing our finance and acquisition capabilities with a holistic view on business, strategy, and operations.

ZRA Understands Budgeting and Policy Trends

ZRA has extensive experience navigating the Federal Government's budgeting process, which gives us unmatched understanding of the strategic trends impacting CISA's funding. Our policy team constantly monitors legislative and regulatory developments to maintain full situational awareness of the environment to support long-term planning. ZRA also has knowledge of key stakeholders, both external and internal to CISA, such as executives, program managers, oversight agencies, and legislators. We use this policy analysis to inform customized planning processes to help CISA operationalize its long-term vision

ZRA is Skilled at Budget Management

ZRA has the technical and management skills to create budgets to meet decision-maker needs while achieving CISA's mission. We are familiar with DHS’s approach to Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution. ZRA can assist with budget formulation and justification, cost estimation, allocations, and more. We can also help CISA manage its existing budget through our cutting-edge business management processes and tools. Our team can help with tracking funds, accounting, and developing metrics.

ZRA is Proficient in DHS Acquisition Processes

ZRA can also provide acquisition management services. Our team has proficient understanding of the Federal Acquisition Rules, the DHS Acquisition Lifecycle Framework, and the DHS Acquisition Review Process. We have experience conducting analysis of alternatives, drafting Statements of Work, and developing proposals. We can help plan and execute acquisitions in a way that ensures regulatory compliance, meets CISA’s operational needs, and anticipates future strategic needs

Risk Management

ZRA provides quality risk management support services for CISA. ZRA has expertise in assessing threat, vulnerability, and consequence to help CISA manage risks across the enterprise. Our experienced team can help design and implement risk management processes to advance CISA's mission as the Nation’s risk advisor.

ZRA Knows Threat

ZRA can provide insight into the complex array of threats that CISA faces in its mission to protect the Nation’s critical infrastructure. ZRA has 20 years of experience working with government agencies, including law enforcement and the intelligence community, and we have cultivated a deep understanding of the most sophisticated adversaries. Our team constantly tracks the threat landscape to stay abreast of evolving tactics, techniques, and procedures and build adversary profiles. We can produce strategic and operational threat assessments to help CISA prioritize threats and inform mitigations.

ZRA Knows Vulnerability

ZRA has expertise in producing vulnerability assessments to help CISA manage risk to critical infrastructure. Our team has spent years developing a deep understanding of critical infrastructure, from the financial sector to the electrical grid, with a specialty in telecommunications and energy infrastructure. This expertise allows us to provide high-impact vulnerability assessments to give CISA a holistic, cross-sector view of the most pressing vulnerabilities. For example, we have worked with NRMC to develop methodologies to prioritize vulnerabilities to National Critical Functions. We also supported NRMC in identifying critical communications elements and determining criticality within the government’s supply chain.

ZRA Knows Consequence

ZRA provides consequence analysis so CISA can gauge the potential impact of threats and vulnerabilities. We have designed multiple frameworks to assess consequences, using rigorous qualitative and quantitative metrics. We routinely develop analytically useful models and scenarios to provide leadership with accurate, actionable vulnerability assessments. For example, our team supported NRMC in developing the SARA Consequence Assessment Risk Framework to assess impacts to telecommunications. We have also supported the Scalable Consequence Equivalency Representations for Cyber (SCERC) to develop approaches to compare and aggregate consequence measures.

ZRA Can Provide an Integrated Risk Management Approach Combining TVC

ZRA delivers fully integrated risk management solutions to tackle CISA's most pressing problems. We have supported various NRMC projects, including the design of the comprehensive Risk Architecture, the Cyber Risk Framework, and an ICT assessment. Our proven track record and cutting-edge research make us an excellent partner to ensure agency mission performance.

Education and Training

ZRA provides leading-edge financial and acquisition support to help CISA secure consistent funding and maximize efficiency amidst expanding operational needs and tightening budgets. ZRA fully understands the strategic trends that are impacting CISA's budget. We can formulate budget plans that meet current and future needs. We also have expertise in managing acquisitions to ensure compliance and efficiency. Our subject matter expertise includes business, law, technology, and policy, informing our finance and acquisition capabilities with a holistic view on business, strategy, and operations.

ZRA Understands Budgeting and Policy Trends

ZRA has extensive experience navigating the Federal Government's budgeting process, which gives us unmatched understanding of the strategic trends impacting CISA's funding. Our policy team constantly monitors legislative and regulatory developments to maintain full situational awareness of the environment to support long-term planning. ZRA also has knowledge of key stakeholders, both external and internal to CISA, such as executives, program managers, oversight agencies, and legislators. We use this policy analysis to inform customized planning processes to help CISA operationalize its long-term vision

ZRA is Skilled at Budget Management

ZRA has the technical and management skills to create budgets to meet decision-maker needs while achieving CISA's mission. We are familiar with DHS's approach to Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution. ZRA can assist with budget formulation and justification, cost estimation, allocations, and more. We can also help CISA manage its existing budget through our cutting-edge business management processes and tools. Our team can help with tracking funds, accounting, and developing metrics.

ZRA is Proficient in DHS Acquisition Processes

ZRA can also provide acquisition management services. Our team has proficient understanding of the Federal Acquisition Rules, the DHS Acquisition Lifecycle Framework, and the DHS Acquisition Review Process. We have experience conducting analysis of alternatives, drafting Statements of Work, and developing proposals. We can help plan and execute acquisitions in a way that ensures regulatory compliance, meets CISA’s operational needs, and anticipates future strategic needs.

System Engineering Support

ZRA leverages broad expertise in systems engineering and deep understanding of CISA's programs and policies to provide tailored support to systems engineering capability development. Unlike other firms, ZRA has cultivated deep knowledge of CISA's programs, mission, and systems engineering doctrine. We have developed adaptable management processes and tools to promote integration and synergy across the Enterprise. We help manage complex design projects and architectures from concept design to full operational capability.

ZRA is Fluent in CISA Doctrine and Policy

ZRA is fluent in CISA systems engineering doctrine, including the Systems Engineering Lifecycle, Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution, and Acquisition Management. This allows us to ensure that CISA projects are built for success, from the ground up, in alignment with DHS approach. ZRA has unique insights into CISA's mission and programs, having supported numerous high-profile programs including NCPS, CDM, and TIC. We use these insights to ensure that projects align with the agency’s strategic trajectory, operational requirements, and stakeholder priorities

ZRA Can Manage the Full Systems Engineering Lifecycle

ZRA has developed cutting-edge processes and tools to help manage the systems engineering life cycle, from initial solution engineering to implementation, operations, and maintenance. From the outset, ZRA's team of experts can help CISA establish detailed plans with clearly defined objectives, priorities, and resource requirements. We utilize sophisticated, proven methods to define assumptions and scope, identify requirements, and design work plans. Our team can assist with the production of Study Plan Reviews, Solution Engineering Reviews, Project Planning Reviews, and Design Reviews. ZRA can also assist with capability delivery. Leveraging our technical and strategic expertise, we ensure seamless integration and maximum impact.

ZRA Delivers

ZRA specializes in creating solutions for the Federal Government and specifically CISA. ZRA helps you conceive and manage complex design projects and architectures, from concept design to full operational capability. Other firms may focus on twenty or more industries, working with ZRA you can rest assured that we are laser focused on CISA and the unique requirements necessary for the success of your missions.

Solutions Design

ZRA works with CISA to design, implement, and promote network architectures. ZRA understands the current state and overall trajectory of Federal networks and the intrinsic need for constant realignment based on shifting threats. ZRA has deep understanding of technical requirements and best practices for implementing resilient network architectures. ZRA's deep technical expertise and project management experience aids CISA in translating conceptual frameworks into workable designs that are implemented with precision and are designed to be easily upgraded as new threats arise.

ZRA Understands Government Networks

ZRA has significant experience working with Federal networks. Our team has supported Federal Network Resilience program initiatives like TIC and CDM. We understand the importance of security-by-design and can help CISA ensure that new architectures prioritize security without sacrificing usability. We ensure that CISA promotes architectures that are scalable and adaptable enough to withstand the test of time.

ZRA Knows Technical Requirements and Best Practices

ZRA stays abreast of technical requirements and best practices for implementing resilient network architectures. Our team is fluent in the language of enterprise architecture, with clear understanding of the issues and standards presented in publications such as NIST-800-53, NIST-691, and NIST-200, as well as CISA guidance and industry design standards. We provide technical and project management expertise on best practices for integrated, durable network designs that are scrupulously implemented and maintained.

ZRA Can Manage Integrated Designs

ZRA has developed robust solutions engineering management processes to ensure designs are technically sound, analytically useful, and conveyable to both engineers and management. Our team interfaces between technical and managerial components, producing report templates, outlines, visuals, and other high-quality deliverables. We manage and track multiple workstreams to facilitate seamless handoffs and integration.

Performance Management

ZRA is your partner in collecting, analyzing, and creating actionable plans for utilizing the vast amounts of information needed to manage and maintain your network's performance. We design metrics to provide actionable insights into the performance of information technology, organizational processes, and the personnel responsible for utilizing the technology to ensure mission success. We understand that without the right information, accessed consistently and with exactitude, your organization will not thrive. Our goal is to put CISA in a proactive position because the right metrics are being analyzed and acted upon in real time.

ZRA Manages IT

ZRA develops customized solutions to manage your organization's information technology. Our custom tools provide leadership with visibility into CISA's IT performance. We design metrics that generate insights into cybersecurity policies, operational posture, and compliance with DHS requirements. We provide technology asset management, privacy and information-sharing compliance management, and network configuration management.

ZRA Can Manage the Full Systems Engineering Lifecycle

ZRA has created adaptable programs to help CISA assess its organizational processes. Our programs go beyond simply implementing standard process improvement activities, focusing instead on complete understanding of CISA's mission, strategy, and customers. Our approach provides a mix of strategic and short-term recommendations for implementation.

ZRA Manages People

ZRA can also help manage CISA's unique and dynamic workforce in alignment with DHS policy and requirements, particularly the directives on Cybersecurity Workforce Management Support and Employee Performance Management. To this end, we can help design, validate, and implement workforce evaluation tools to help improve policies.