RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – IBM is opening a Center for Cybersecurity in the nation’s capital, aiming to provide services to government agencies that face ongoing threats from hackers. It’s also another expansion of efforts to capitalize on cloud computing technology – the underlying reason for IBM’s $34 billion acquisition of Raleigh-based Red Hat two years ago.

“IBM is committed to helping our US Federal government customers meet cybersecurity modernization requirements – both for current and future threats,” said Stephen LaFleche, General Manager Public and Federal Market at IBM in Wednesday’s announcement.

“Hybrid cloud environments can provide an opportunity to implement new technologies and techniques, like a zero trust framework and advanced encryption – while helping make the government more accessible and easier for citizens work with. These techniques are also being applied in other highly regulated industries, such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare,” LaFleche added.

The center will be housed inside IBM’s existing facilities in the capital.

“The new facility will feature secured laboratory space where government customers can collaborate on unique solutions for advanced security threats leveraging insights from demos of IBM technologies and services,” IBM explained.  “Initially, IBM will conduct virtual sessions to accommodate any challenges to meeting in person, with the capability to execute engagements at on-site customer locations.”

IBM’s move comes as government and commercial networks face ongoing sybersecurity threats such as SolarWinds and commerical ransomware attacks.

“IBM Security X-Force Threat Intelligence Index found that ransomware accounted for 33% of the attacks on government organizations in 2020,” IBM added. “With the US Federal government furthering its investment in hybrid cloud, new approaches for cybersecurity should focus on protecting both systems as well as data – no matter where it is – either on premise, in the cloud, or at the edge.”

To learn more about the new center, visit: http://ibm.biz/us-federal-cyber-center

IBM owns Raleigh-based Red Hat and operates one of its largest corporate campuses in RTP.