Cyber Defender
The Cyber Defender program,
developed for the US Army – CCDC
Science and Technology (S&T),
represents a cutting-edge approach
to cybersecurity. This innovative
system leverages artificial
intelligence and machine learning to
create a predictive and adaptive
defense mechanism against cyber
threats. At its core, Cyber Defender
employs an AI-based architecture
that detects and prevents intrusions
and continuously evolves to counter
emerging threats.
One of the program's most notable features is its use of game theory in AI development. This
approach enables the system to train an adversarial AI to penetrate networks while
simultaneously training a defender AI to impede these attacks. This dual-training methodology
results in a robust, self-improving security system capable of identifying rare anomalies and
automatically warning against and blocking adversary intrusions.
Cyber Defender addresses several critical challenges in current cybersecurity practices. These
include the overwhelming volume of security-related data, a shortage of qualified personnel for
management and intrusion detection, high false positive rates that burden analysts, and delayed
reporting of security risks. The system's efficiency is particularly evident in its performance
metrics, showing a 96% improvement in cyber threat detection compared to other documented
methods and significant reductions in missed threats and false positives.
The program's effectiveness extends to various types of cyber attacks, including native
response injection, cyber response injection, state command injection, parameter command
injection, function code injection, and denial of service attacks. It's specifically designed to
protect critical infrastructure, focusing on SCADA systems, often vulnerable to cyber
penetration.
With modern cybersecurity best practices, Cyber Defender incorporates five of the seven Zero-
Trust Pillars: User Behaviors, Next-gen Firewall, Event-Driven, real-time Decisions, and
Automation. This comprehensive approach ensures a multifaceted defense strategy against
sophisticated cyber threats.
The development of Cyber Defender was prompted by warnings from the National Security
Commission on Artificial Intelligence, highlighting the risks of not utilizing AI in defense against
AI-capable adversaries. By operating at machine speeds and executing processes millions of
times faster than human experts, Cyber Defender represents a significant leap forward in
cybersecurity technology, positioning it as a crucial tool in the ongoing battle against evolving
cyber threats.