BIRD Foundation Greenlights Cyber Resilience Projects for US, Israel
The Israel-US Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation has approved joint projects to enhance the cyber security of partner nations.
Under the initiative, four industry groups will be funded to lead various tasks on bolstering cyber resilience for the US and Israeli governments.
“We are proud to announce the first grants for this important program. The selected projects are a result of a comprehensive selection process to answer the cybersecurity needs of both countries,” BIRD Foundation Executive Director Jaron Lotan said.
“The BIRD Cyber program advances the US-Israeli partnership through cyber innovation and collaboration, to build a more secure and resilient infrastructure.”
Selected Industry Groups
Tel-Aviv firm Rescana will partner with Trend Micro to produce an operations cyber threat intelligence capability informing cyber risk maritime decision-making.
Meanwhile, Rahovot’s Salvador Technologies will work with Bastazo to develop a solution for vulnerability management, monitoring, and rapid recovery of industrial control systems from cyberattacks.
Finally, Rishon Letzion-based Cyber 2.0 and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport will work on a platform sustaining cyber visibility, real-time monitoring, and data traffic detection to boost regulation compliance and decrease risks to air traffic systems and airports.
Another project will lead an airport cyber protection solution across the attack surface.
Strategic Partnership
The BIRD Foundation is a strategic collaboration founded in 1977 between the Israeli and US governments to jointly explore concepts and innovations benefitting both nations.
In addition to military applications and homeland security, the organization supports other projects associated with electro-optics, communications, renewable energy, agriculture, and other technology sectors.
The foundation has approved more than 1,000 projects since its inception. Alongside approving conditional project grants, the group identifies potential strategic teams to facilitate further advancements.
Solving ‘Key Challenges’
The BIRD Foundation’s recent cybersecurity projects are managed with the US Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) and the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD).
“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,” DHS S&T Industry Partnerships Director Megan Mahle said.
INCD International Cooperation Executive Director Aviram Atzaba 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.”
