USAID announced over $26 million in new funding as part of a new partnership with IBM to strengthen cybersecurity across Europe. The Cybersecurity Protection and Response initiative will empower host governments, as well as critical infrastructure operators, to identify, respond to, and recover from cyberattacks in partner countries. The program will also build long-term resilience in the cybersecurity realm by supporting development, governance, frameworks, and workforce challenges.
Recently, the Europe and Eurasia region has seen an alarming uptick in cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure and government networks. Existing insecure infrastructures have made it increasingly challenging for governments and critical infrastructure operators to effectively tackle these cyber threats. These vulnerabilities are exploited by progressively more sophisticated cyberthreats, enabled in part by the use of commercial spyware. While there has been an increase in awareness surrounding the importance of cybersecurity across this region, inadequate preparedness continues to challenge many countries. Given development and humanitarian work uses digital technologies and operates in digitalized environments, robust cybersecurity is a necessity.
The partnership with IBM allows USAID to leverage IBM’s expertise working with clients and security practitioners in 130 countries to positively influence development and humanitarian assistance outcomes. IBM has developed cybersecurity capacity through a range of services offered through IBM Consulting, IBM Research, IBM’s Center for Government Cybersecurity, and IBM X-Force.
Cyber capacity building activities are powerful signs of digital solidarity in action and have a direct and positive impact on international cyber stability and global security. USAID supports governments in countries across the Europe and Eurasia region to harness the capability of technology while incorporating crucial defense mechanisms pertaining to cybersecurity.