IBM, which has a Top 250 MSSP business, said it will open a new education and workshop facility intended to help federal agencies circumvent current and future cybersecurity threats.
The vendor's Center for Government Cybersecurity will offer events and learnings that draw on its security technology and also host workshops on issues such as zero trust frameworks, cloud security and cryptography. Of note, the sessions will have a ransomware overtone, considering the recent cluster of hijackings that have hit U.S. critical infrastructure and the private sector.
A main goal of the center is to provide access to information on cybersecurity technologies IBM is using with the public and private sectors, the company said. "IBM is committed to helping our U.S. federal government customers meet cybersecurity modernization requirements, both for current and future threats," said Stephen LaFleche, IBM general manager, public and federal market. At the outset, IBM said it will conduct virtual sessions and may hold engagements at on-site customer locations.
Here are some IBM-provided examples of the sessions:
Adapting to a Zero Trust World: Exploring the unique implementation needs for government to apply the core principles of zero trust. The session will include securing the hybrid and remote workforce, reducing the risk of insider threats, protecting the hybrid cloud and preserving customer privacy.
Hybrid Cloud Security Challenges for Data Portability: As part of this workshop, IBM Security architects can demonstrate the use of trusted execution environments, containers and open standards as a reference point for future hybrid cloud designs via IBM Security Services for Cloud.
The Future of Cryptography: As part of this workshop, IBM researchers can help U.S. federal agency teams understand the implications that the technology will have on next-generation architectures and security protocols.
The facility will be based at IBM's offices in Washington D.C. and feature laboratory space where government customers can collaborate on solutions for advanced security threats. The effort will also include access to an advisory panel available via on-site and in virtual conferences as well as individual discussions. The seven-member group, which includes former chief information officers, cybersecurity leads and advisors, a Defense Department service provider and ex-U.S. federal agency security officials, intends to publish thought leadership and research papers on cybersecurity issues and solutions.
