NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CYBERGYM, a global network of cyber-warfare qualification and training arenas, where organizations enhance their cyber strategies, today announced the addition of cybersecurity expert Frank Cilluffo as an advisor to the board of their recently opened Manhattan arena. Cilluffo was recently named as Director of Auburn University’s Charles D. McCrary Institute. Prior to his appointment at Auburn, he served as an Associate Vice President at George Washington University, where he developed numerous national security and cybersecurity policies and initiatives.
Noted for his role at the Office of Homeland Security, which was created by the former President George W. Bush following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Cilluffo’s tenure at the White House involved a wide range of counterterrorism and homeland security strategy and policy initiatives. He also served as a principal advisor to Director Tom Ridge and helped direct the President’s Homeland Security Advisory Council.
“I’m excited to be joining CYBERGYM’s team of experts in New York City, whose training methods have proven instrumental in helping numerous government and corporate entities protect themselves against the growing number of cyber attacks,” said Frank Cilluffo. “I think CYBERGYM is very unique in what they can offer corporations, critical infrastructure and those in academia as we work to arm today’s workforce against the increasing number of cyberattacks. CYBERGYM’s training and qualification methods, combined with Ofir and Nori’s impressive backgrounds, made this a natural match for me.”
The addition of Cilluffo comes at a time of exponential global growth for CYBERGYM. Since November 2017, the company has opened new connected cybersecurity arenas in Australia, New York City, Tokyo and South Africa, doubling their previous network. Organizations such as NATO, Hitachi, Millennium BCP Bank, and the Israeli Electric Corporation train their employees using CYBERGYM’s head-to-head, red team versus blue team attack scenarios.
The growing threat of cybercrime has caused organizations worldwide to increase spending on security technologies and policies, and yet it still doesn’t seem to be enough to curtail breaches. According to a 2017 Accenture study, the average annual cost of cybersecurity for global organizations rose to $11.7M, a 22.7 percent increase, while the number of breaches rose to 130, a 27.4 percent increase.
“Frank’s extensive experience and time in the security sector will be immeasurable to our network as we move into 2019 and continue our global expansion,” said Ofir Hason, CEO and co-founder of CYBERGYM. “In the face of ever-growing cybersecurity threats, more companies and institutions are looking to CYBERGYM to train their employees and management in an environment with real-life cyber attacks. Frank’s background will be invaluable to us and we’re thrilled to have him join our fast growing team of experts.”
For more information about CYBERGYM, and to schedule a tour of one of their arenas, click here.
CYBERGYM
Founded in 2013, CYBERGYM conducts cyber-warfare
preparedness training for government and private enterprises with a
global network of connected arenas, offering programs that focus on the
human factor. Led by teams of international intelligence veterans,
CYBERGYM provides tailored, scenario-based training that enables service
providers, utility organizations and governments to build comprehensive
training and qualification programs. CYBERGYM’s training programs and
complementary services aim to generate a long-lasting, sustainable
impact on the organization's cyber-readiness, brand safety and overall
market-value. As focused and efficient tools in corporate cyber
strategy, our solutions generate substantial savings and minimize the
risk of a cyber breach and the damages caused by cyberattacks. The
human-centered and human-first approach has the deepest impact on
personnel at all organizational levels.
