The Homeland Open Security Technology (HOST) program’s mission is to investigate open-security methods, models and technologies and identify viable and sustainable approaches that support national cybersecurity objectives based on open-source software. The HOST program focuses its activities on three key areas.

Discovery—The HOST program investigates new and existing open-security projects and techniques that support and protect government cyber-assets.
Collaboration—Coordinating development activities and encouraging working relationships between public- and private-sector R&D communities is core to increasing the sustainable use of open security technology.
Investment—DHS is committed to providing seed investments in advanced research and development (R&D) activities that support national cybersecurity objectives and have the potential to create sustainable project communities.