The Israel-United States Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation has approved four projects under its BIRD Cyber Program, an initiative that it launched in 2022 in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Israel National Cyber Directorate.
The BIRD Cyber Program aims to promote partnerships in the technology sectors of the U.S. and Israel to enhance cyber resilience in the two countries. Its focus areas include border protection and maritime security, unmanned aerial systems, and advanced first-response technologies.
The projects went through a screening process led by representatives from the DHS Science and Technology Directorate, INCD and the BIRD Foundation’s Board of Governors, with the approved proposals receiving a total of $3.85 million in grants.
These include proposals from Trend Micro and Tel-Aviv-based Rescana for the development of a solution for cyber risk maritime decision-making.
Funding approvals were also handed to Arkansas-based Bastazo and Salvador Technologies of Rehovot, Israel, which partnered to develop a solution countering cyberattacks on industrial control systems, and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, who is in partnership with Rishon Letzion, Israel-based Cyber 2.0 to develop airport cyber defense measures to reduce risks and enhance regulations compliance.
The yet-unnamed proponents of the fourth project will also seek an airport cyber protection solution across vulnerable areas.
All four projects will also have access to private-sector funding, boosting their value to about $10 million, according to the foundation.