CybExer develops AI-driven cyber defence solution with 500K support

CybExer has announced the development of a new artificial intelligence-enabled Active Cyber Defence Solution designed to improve organisational preparedness and response to cyber threats.

The company is focusing its efforts on integrating artificial intelligence, offensive cyber tools, and cyber range technology. This combination aims to allow for more proactive defence strategies, while also offering scalable training options for organisations facing evolving cyber risks.

Unlike traditional manual red teaming, which can be demanding on resources and challenging to scale, CybExer's solution intends to automate and adapt defence simulations. The technology will provide mechanisms to test, evaluate, and enhance cyber resilience inside controlled, realistic settings, allowing organisations to simulate and counteract increasingly sophisticated threats.

The initial development phase will centre on incorporating the solution within cyber ranges. However, the project blueprint has been designed with scalability in mind, with future possibilities including applications in national defence and critical infrastructure sectors. The research and development process aims to extend active cyber defence principles well beyond the confines of simulated environments.

The implementation of AI functionalities in cyber ranges is a principal focus of the project. CybExer states that it is currently the only company globally that combines AI-driven cyber range technology with proficiency in AI warfare and cyber defence tools.

Expert collaboration

CybExer is leading the development with support from project partners, including CR14-a state-established cyber competence centre managing several NATO-level cyber ranges-and the Cyber-Defence Campus of armasuisse. There is already an established collaboration between CybExer and the Cyber-Defence Campus, specifically concentrating on the application of artificial intelligence in demanding defence scenarios.

Joint research activities between the organisations involve exploring the potential of AI to aid decision-making within cyber operations. AI is also being developed as a tool to enable greater automation in defensive and offensive cyber actions, while increasing the realism and adaptability of cyber range training programmes. These initiatives are intended to facilitate the practical deployment of active cyber defence capabilities, grounded in scientific research.

According to a statement, the solution will introduce new ways to test, evaluate and strengthen cyber resilience in realistic, controlled environments. By integrating AI assisted offensive capabilities into cyber ranges, organisations will be able to simulate evolving threats, proactively engage with them and improve their defensive strategies more effectively. Traditional approaches such as manual red teaming are often resource intensive and difficult to scale, and this project seeks to address those limitations with a more automated and adaptable solution.

The Cyber-Defence Campus contributes expertise in artificial intelligence, red teaming, and cybersecurity research. Its work aims to advance both scientific and operational understanding of AI's role in cyber defence, concentrating especially on automating red team functions and enriching training.

Modular approach

The development will follow a modular approach, allowing for integration with diverse cyber range platforms. The product will be available as a standalone utility, as a component of a cyber exercise, or as an enhancement within larger training frameworks. This approach is aimed at addressing emerging operational requirements within the active cyber defence landscape.

Since the project commenced, it has attracted funding of EUR €494,200 from Enterprise Estonia, forming part of a wider project budget of more than EUR €700,000. This financial support is allocated to facilitate research, development, and future deployment of the solution.

With this initiative, CybExer intends to further its work in AI-enabled cyber defence and to make new capabilities accessible for organisations seeking to enhance their readiness against advanced threats. The company's efforts are aimed at supporting the continuous improvement of cyber range technology and the transition towards active, adaptive cyber defence measures for a variety of sectors.