American firm CyberReadyUSA acquires practice arena from Israel's CyberGym

Published: AUGUST 1, 2017 15:51

Updated: AUGUST 1, 2017 16:08

Cyber hacking (illustrative) (photo credit: INGIMAGE) — Cyber hacking (illustrative)

(photo credit: INGIMAGE)

Originally established in Hadera in 2013, CyberGym is a joint venture between the Israel Electric Corporation and CyberControl, an Israeli cyber-security consultancy group.

A cyber defense training center rooted in Israeli expertise will soon be opening its doors in the heart of Oklahoma City, following a partnership agreement between Israel's CyberGym and the American company CyberReadyUSA.

Aiming to ensure that the American firm’s customers are as prepared as possible for future cyber attacks at their facilities, the new practice arena will provide users with a platform for coping with cyber attacks in real time, the partners said. Originally established in Hadera in 2013, CyberGym is a joint venture between the Israel Electric Corporation and CyberControl, an Israeli cyber-security consultancy group.

“The facility in Oklahoma, which will be established in the last quarter of 2017, is the first of a series of arenas focusing on critical infrastructures planned in the United States," said Jason Bewley, president of CyberReadyUSA. "The arena will provide a unique solution that will be the ‘final step’ for energy supply infrastructures in the US, which are very difficult to protect and inspect."

Within the arena, a variety of cyber attacks will be simulated, enabling the users to identify threats and respond to a wide range of attack scenarios, the partners said. The CyberGym model, according to the IEC, incorporates a deep understanding of both weaknesses in the technological environment and suitable responsibility divisions over the course of an attack.

"The partnership with CyberGym brings with it international technologies and tactics to the forefront in the US, at a time when cyber-attacks may start anywhere and at any time," Bewley said. "This program defends our customer’s proprietary information, brings about a revolution in cyber practice and promotes the entire organization’s skills in coping with cyber events."

The collaboration with CyberReadyUSA comes just a month after the Japanese technology giant Hitachi likewise decided to adopt the CyberGym model for a future cyber-security training facility.

"The field of cyber is, without a doubt, the spearhead of our international business enterprises, and we are proud to receive the international recognition that has come with the purchase of Israeli developed practice arenas around the world," said Ofer Bloch, CEO of the IEC.

The forthcoming Oklahoma City and Japanese training facilities will join the already active CyberGym arenas in Australia, Lithuania, Portugal and the Czech Republic, added Ofir Hasson, CEO of CyberGym. At the sites, students are able to control real components that serve critical infrastructures and gain knowledge from their peers in coping with attacks on their operational and information technology systems, he explained.

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"CyberGym’s hybrid arena in Oklahoma City further expands its growing global footprint in the world and demonstrates the ‘Cyber Grid’ vision – a network of cyber practice facilities who will share information, experiences and conclusions learned through cyber events around the world," Hasson said. "The unique practice arena will provide an optimal solution for practicing cyber security for critical infrastructures."