#United States #Washington #DHS #INCD #BIRD Foundation

New Cybersecurity Initiative between the U.S. and Israel

In an effort to collectively bolster cybersecurity measures, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD), and the BIRD Foundation have unveiled an initiative designed to encourage innovative solutions to pressing cybersecurity challenges facing both nations. This initiative, known as the BIRD Cyber Call for Proposals, aims to stimulate collaboration between U.S. and Israeli companies, as well as research institutions, by providing substantial funding for projects that meet specific cybersecurity needs.

Aiming for Enhanced Cyber Resilience

The central goal of the BIRD Cyber program is to promote strategic partnerships that will enhance the cyber resilience of both the United States and Israel. Industry stakeholders have recognized that existing cybersecurity solutions in the market often fall short when it comes to addressing key vulnerabilities. Therefore, the DHS and INCD are actively inviting proposals that will provide the necessary innovations to fill these gaps.

Funded projects must include collaborative efforts between U.S. and Israeli entities. Proposals can either involve partnerships between two companies located in the respective countries or collaborations between a company and a research institution, each representing one of the nations. This cross-border cooperation is intended to foster the development of cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies that can be tested and implemented effectively in real-world scenarios.

Targeted Areas for Innovation

The BIRD Cyber initiative specifically invites project submissions related to several focused areas of technology:

• - Cyber protection for legacy medical devices: Ensuring that older medical technologies are secured against modern cyber threats.
• - BGP hijacking remediation: Developing solutions to safeguard against Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) attacks, which can lead to significant disruptions in internet services.
• - Online face image self-enrollment: Proposing methods to enable secure self-enrollment processes that align with international standards for face recognition systems.
• - Threat hunting on encrypted traffic: Creating techniques to analyze encrypted communication for potential threats without compromising security protocols.
• - Human-machine (AI) interface tools: Innovating interfaces that enhance cybersecurity through better interaction between AI systems and human operators.

Financial Support for Innovative Projects

To support these initiatives, the BIRD Cyber program will grant successful applicants up to $1.5 million, funding up to 50% of the overall research and development budget. This financial backing signifies a strong commitment from the involved organizations to invest in the solutions that will shape future cybersecurity frameworks. The call for proposals is set for submission, with Executive Summaries due by January 29, 2025. Projects will receive approval in May 2025.

Statements from Leadership

Expressing his enthusiasm for the program, Gaby Portnoy, Director General of INCD, commented, "The BIRD Cyber program is a vital initiative that directly contributes to Israel's national security. By fostering collaboration between U.S. and Israeli companies, we are harnessing the power of innovation to address the complex cyber threats facing our nations. Through BIRD Cyber, we aim to support the development of cutting-edge solutions that will strengthen both countries' cyber resilience and protect their infrastructure and resources."

Similarly, Jaron Lotan, Executive Director of BIRD, highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating, "We are pleased to see the progress achieved by the grantees of the first BIRD Cyber program and honored that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Israel National Cyber Directorate have entrusted BIRD to lead another BIRD Cyber program focused on critical topics that will strengthen the cyber resilience of both nations."

Conclusion

The BIRD Cyber initiative represents a significant step in advancing cybersecurity measures for both the United States and Israel. By encouraging international collaboration and providing substantial funding for innovative projects, this program is poised to tackle some of the most pressing cybersecurity challenges faced by both nations. For more information about the initiative, interested parties can visit the BIRD Foundation's website. The collaboration between these two leaders in technology demonstrates the importance of unity in overcoming cybersecurity hurdles and securing the digital frontiers of both countries.