A consortium of 24 cybersecurity organizations recently began a $8.5 million, two-year research program for securing computer-based systems that control critical infrastructure such as dams, pipelines, water treatment plants, et. al. The federally-funded consortium, known as I3P, will support basic research to understand supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems and produce technology products to mitigate any flaws in those systems. The consortium, which was founded in September 2001, is also actively pursuing industry partnerships to help guide research and for technology transfer opportunities. Federal Computer Weekly: Group Studies Infrastructure Threats