IBM to Enhance USAID Cybersecurity in Europe, Eurasia

The U.S. Agency for International Development has awarded IBM a $26 million contract to enhance its cybersecurity capabilities in Europe and Eurasia. 

The five-year contract supports USAID’s Cybersecurity Protection and Response program, which focuses on fortifying host governments in the said region against cyberattacks, IBM said.

IBM will provide cybersecurity program management, incident response and capacity building services to help USAID develop a secure and resilient digital ecosystem in the regions.

According to the tech giant, the initiative is important because of the vulnerabilities that technology’s ubiquity spurred for governments and critical infrastructure operators.

Erin McKee, assistant administrator at USAID’s Europe and Eurasia Bureau, said the partnership with IBM aligns with USAID’s goals to promote inclusive growth and resilient societies through digital technology.

While Alice Fakir, an IBM Consulting partner and lead of cybersecurity services for the U.S. federal market, emphasized the need for cybersecurity integration into IT modernization efforts.

Fakir, a 4×24 member, described cybersecurity as a global development challenge and expressed IBM’s commitment to partnering with USAID.