The BIRD Cyber Program, a collaborative venture between Israeli and US government agencies, has been unveiled, dedicating a substantial $4 million to projects that aim to bolster the resilience of critical infrastructure against cyber threats. Jointly managed by the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD), the Israel-US Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation, and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), the initiative seeks to enhance cybersecurity measures in both countries. The program, under the stewardship of the non-profit BIRD Foundation, plans to allocate $3.85 million to pioneering defense solutions, with additional private-sector investments raising the total funding to around $10 million.
To qualify for the BIRD Cyber Program, projects must involve collaboration between Israeli and American companies, focusing on cybersecurity or emerging technologies, while exhibiting the potential to strengthen the cyber resilience of critical infrastructure. Of note, the initiative will award four grants targeting the maritime sectors, airport and air traffic management, and industrial control systems (ICS).
Notable projects include the development of cyber threat intelligence for maritime risk management, solutions for Industrial Control Systems (ICS) vulnerability management and recovery, and platforms that boost cyber visibility and compliance in airport and air traffic management.
Megan Mahle, Director of the DHS S&T Office of Industry Partnerships, expressed optimism about the potential contributions of these collaborative investments in advancing cybersecurity and resilience in vital sectors across both nations. Aviram Atzaba, Executive Director for International Cooperation of INCD, highlighted the BIRD mechanism’s role in strengthening the strategic alliance between Israel and the United States while underscoring its capacity to drive innovation in cybersecurity for critical infrastructure and small to medium-sized businesses.
