New federal agency-focused training helps
address government cybersecurity mandates and pillars of the
National Cybersecurity Strategy
Launches two no-cost cyber response training
sessions for select critical infrastructure organizations
WASHINGTON, March 6,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced
the official opening of the new IBM X-Force Cyber Range in
Washington, DC. The range includes
new custom training exercises specifically designed to help U.S.
federal agencies, their suppliers and critical infrastructure
organizations more effectively respond to persistent and disruptive
cyberattacks, and threats posed by AI. The state-of-the-art
facility is designed to help everyone from legal and
mission-critical leaders, to the C-Suite and technical security
leaders prepare for a real-world cyber incident.
According to IBM's 2023 Cost of a Data Breach
report the global average cost of a data breach reached
$4.45 million, with the US facing the
highest breach costs across all regions. Organizations that formed
an incident response (IR) team and tested their IR plan experienced
faster incident response times and lower costs than organizations
that did neither. In fact, the report found that high levels of IR
planning and testing saved industry and government nearly
$1.5 million in breach costs and 54
days from the data breach lifecycle.
"From national security threats to supply chain disruptions
impacting the goods and services we rely on every day, cyberattacks
on government and critical infrastructure can have ramifications
that go far beyond the balance sheet," said Alice Fakir, Partner,
Lead of Cybersecurity Services, US Federal Market for IBM
Consulting. "The elite and highly customizable cyber response
training we provide at our new DC range helps organizations and
federal agencies better defend against existing and emerging
threats, and also addresses federal mandates like those in the
Biden Administration's Executive Order 14028 focused on improving
the nation's cybersecurity."
Building on nearly a decade of experience operating cyber
response training facilities globally, IBM facilitators at the DC
range guide participants through full-scale breach scenarios –
ranging from AI code poisoning and destructive attacks to deepfake
and zero-day attacks. The experience is immersive and helps
participants from companies and agencies work through challenges
they would face in real time such as cross-team communication
breakdowns, resource issues, and navigating new US Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) incident reporting requirements.
In addition to government agencies and critical infrastructure
providers, businesses across all sectors can participate in cyber
response training. Examples of the types of simulations that will
be delivered through the X-Force Cyber Range in DC include:
- Mission: Crisis Response: In this challenge tailored
specifically for federal government agencies, IBM facilitators test
and guide teams through a series of cyberattack scenarios, exposing
gaps in response plans within a safe environment, allowing federal
agency stakeholders to learn best practices based on industry
standards and real-world case studies. This federally focused
scenario uses the CISA Cybersecurity Incident & Vulnerability
Response Playbook, developed in accordance with EO 14028, to guide
decision making in a realistic cyber crisis scenario. Private
sector organizations can take part in a similar scenario, called
the Business Response Challenge, tailored to their industries and
unique security challenges.
- Cyber Wargame: In this hands-on scenario, participants
uncover and investigate a cyberattack led by a cybercriminal
organization against a fictitious corporation. The Cyber Wargame
tests the organization's incident response process, communication,
and problem solving by positioning technical and business teams in
the middle of a realistic cybersecurity incident to see how they
would work together to resolve it. This exercise can be run
annually to help ensure IR plans and processes are regularly
refreshed to meet the latest threats and business challenges.
- Inside the Mind of a Hacker: This exercise is designed
to help participants understand the viewpoint of an attacker by
demonstrating the types of tools adversaries are using today and
the scope of modern attacks. The session includes relevant insights
from X-Force threat intelligence to help participants stay informed
and adapt to the latest cyber threats.
Training Critical Infrastructure to Strengthen Response in
Cyber Crisis
Globally, nearly 70% of incidents that
IBM X-Force responded to last year were against critical
infrastructure organizations, according to the 2024 X-Force Threat
Intelligence Index. Given the continuous stream of attacks
targeting these organizations, and the critical role that defending
critical infrastructure plays in America's National Cybersecurity
Strategy, IBM will offer two free exercises at its new DC cyber
range where select infrastructure providers will respond to
simulated cyberattacks.
The first event will take place in the spring of 2024 and will
host organizations within the chemical, energy (including electric,
oil, gas, and renewables), and water industries. The scenario will
be customized to cater to specific issues facing these industries.
The second session will be held later this year. To learn more
about attending one of the upcoming sessions for critical
infrastructure organizations, visit here.
Since 2016, IBM's cyber range facilities have hosted more than
17,000 visitors including major banks, healthcare systems, and oil
& gas producers across the globe.
Additional Sources
- Learn more about the IBM X-Force Cyber Range in
Washington, DC.
- Book an information meeting.
- Read more about the upcoming free sessions for critical
infrastructure.
About IBM Security
IBM Security helps secure the
world's largest enterprises and governments with an integrated
portfolio of security products and services, infused with dynamic
AI and automation capabilities. The portfolio, supported by
world-renowned IBM Security X-Force® research, enables
organizations to predict threats, protect data as it moves, and
respond with speed and precision without holding back business
innovation. IBM is trusted by thousands of organizations as their
partner to assess, strategize, implement, and manage security
transformations. IBM operates one of the world's broadest security
research, development, and delivery organizations, monitors 150
billion+ security events per day in more than 130 countries, and
has been granted more than 10,000 security patents worldwide.
Media Contact
Michele
Brancati
IBM
Mbrancati@ibm.com
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SOURCE IBM