TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — As the cybersecurity industry continues to grow and thrive, it has primarily focused on serving industries with substantial budgets such as banking, insurance, defense, and eCommerce. But the demand for enhanced cybersecurity solutions on a national level is outpacing the industry’s capacity to meet it. Many companies, utilities, ports, and airports are in need of advanced cybersecurity measures to keep up with the increasing number and complexity of threats they face.
To address this challenge, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD), and the Israel-US Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation have joined forces to establish the BIRD Cyber Program. This collaborative initiative aims to bolster the cyber resilience of critical infrastructure in both the United States and Israel, with the BIRD Foundation overseeing its management.
Recently, the BIRD Foundation’s Board of Governors approved funding for four joint cybersecurity projects submitted by US and Israeli companies in response to the first BIRD Cyber solicitation. These projects were selected through a rigorous review and award process by DHS S&T, INCD, and the BIRD Foundation. Each project will receive funding from the BIRD grants, further augmented by private-sector investments, bringing the total value of the projects to approximately $10 million.
The following projects have been approved for funding:
1. Rescana (Tel-Aviv, Israel) and Trend Micro (Irving, Texas) will collaborate to develop an operational cyber threat intelligence capability that informs decision-making related to cyber risks in maritime activities.
2. Salvador Technologies (Rehovot, Israel) and Bastazo (Fayetteville, Arkansas) will work together to create a solution for vulnerable Industrial Control Systems (ICS) to enhance vulnerability management, monitoring, and rapid recovery from cyberattacks.
3. Cyber 2.0 (Rishon Letzion, Israel) and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (Hebron, KY) will team up to develop a platform for airports and air traffic that offers continuous cyber visibility, real-time monitoring, and data traffic detection, thereby minimizing risks and ensuring compliance with regulations.
4. A joint project dedicated to developing an airport cyber protection solution designed to safeguard the entire airport’s attack surface.
The BIRD Foundation promotes collaboration between US and Israeli companies for joint product development across various technological sectors. In addition to providing conditional grants for approved projects, the foundation assists companies in identifying potential strategic partners and facilitates introductions.
“The first year of the BIRD Cyber program has yielded projects that will deliver cutting-edge solutions to pressing cybersecurity challenges facing the US and Israel,” said Ms. Megan Mahle, Director of the DHS S&T Office of Industry Partnerships. “We are pleased to jointly invest with our Israeli partners in these innovative projects and anticipate that they will deliver new capabilities to enhance the cybersecurity posture and overall resilience of vital critical sectors in both nations.”
Mr. Aviram Atzaba, Executive Director for International Cooperation of INCD, emphasized the strategic partnership between INCD and DHS in addressing cyber threats and strengthening national cyber resilience. He added, “We are proud to partner with DHS to develop cutting-edge solutions for small and medium-sized businesses and critical infrastructure cybersecurity. This year’s joint projects address key challenges in ICS, maritime, and airport sectors. The BIRD mechanism continues to strengthen the strategic alliance between Israel and the United States.”
Mr. Jaron Lotan, Executive Director of the BIRD Foundation, expressed his pride in announcing the first grants for the BIRD Cyber program. He stated that the chosen projects were carefully selected to address cybersecurity needs in both countries. The BIRD Cyber program aims to promote collaboration and innovation in the field of cybersecurity to build a more secure and resilient infrastructure. Mr. Lotan affirmed the BIRD Foundation’s commitment to supporting the development of innovative technologies that enhance safety for both Israel and the United States.
About the BIRD Foundation:
The BIRD (Binational Industrial Research and Development) Foundation encourages and facilitates cooperation between US and Israeli companies across various technology sectors. It offers funding for selected projects without acquiring any equity or intellectual property rights in the participating companies or their projects. Repayment of BIRD funding is derived from royalties generated through sales of commercialized products resulting from its support. The Foundation covers up to 50% of a project’s budget, starting from R&D and extending to the initial stages of sales and marketing. If a project fails to reach the sales stage, the Foundation shares the risk and does not require repayment.