IBM has unveiled its latest initiative in the fight against cyber threats with the opening of the IBM X-Force Cyber Range in Washington, DC.
This facility introduces tailored training exercises aimed at bolstering the response capabilities of U.S. federal agencies, their suppliers, and critical infrastructure organizations in the face of escalating cyberattacks and challenges posed by artificial intelligence.
The cyber range is designed to cater to a diverse audience, ranging from legal and mission-critical leaders to C-suite executives and technical security personnel, enabling them to better prepare for real-world cyber incidents.
This initiative comes at a critical juncture, as recent findings from IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach report reveal that the global average cost of a data breach has surged to $4.45 million, with the United States bearing the brunt of the highest breach costs worldwide.
The report underscores the pivotal role of incident response (IR) teams, noting that organizations equipped with such teams and those that rigorously test their IR plans experience expedited incident response times and reduced costs compared to their counterparts. Notably, high levels of IR planning and testing contributed to savings of nearly $1.5 million in breach costs and shortened the data breach lifecycle by 54 days for industry and government entities alike.
Alice Fakir, Partner and Lead of Cybersecurity Services for the US Federal Market at IBM Consulting, emphasized the significance of customizable cyber response training offered at the new DC range in fortifying defenses against evolving threats. Fakir underscored the alignment of these efforts with federal mandates, such as those outlined in the Biden Administration’s Executive Order 14028, aimed at enhancing the nation’s cybersecurity posture.
While the primary focus remains on government agencies and critical infrastructure providers, IBM emphasizes that businesses across all sectors stand to benefit from cyber response training. Highlighting the prevalence of cyber threats against critical infrastructure, the 2024 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index revealed that 70 percent of incidents responded to by IBM X-Force last year targeted such organizations.
As part of its commitment to fostering cyber resilience, IBM will offer two complimentary exercises at the newly launched DC cyber range, enabling select infrastructure providers to simulate responses to cyberattacks. The inaugural event, scheduled for spring 2024, will welcome organizations operating within the chemical, energy (including electric, oil, gas, and renewables), and water industries.
With the launch of the IBM X-Force Cyber Range in Washington, DC, stakeholders across various sectors are poised to strengthen their cybersecurity defenses and enhance their readiness to mitigate emerging cyber threats.
