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The Division of Protection has awarded its first generative AI protection contract to Jericho Safety, marking a strategic shift in navy cybersecurity. The $1.8 million Small Enterprise Expertise Switch (STTR) Part II contract, introduced by way of AFWERX, duties the New York-based startup with creating superior cybersecurity options for the Division of the Air Pressure.
“This is one of the first generative AI contracts awarded in defense, marking a major milestone in how seriously our military is addressing AI-based threats,” Sage Wohns, CEO of Jericho Safety, instructed VentureBeat in an unique interview
How AI-powered phishing assaults goal navy personnel
The corporate’s method facilities on simulating advanced, multi-channel phishing assaults that mirror real-world eventualities. “In today’s landscape, phishing campaigns aren’t limited to just emails—they involve coordinated attempts across multiple platforms like text messages, phone calls, and even video calls,” Wohns defined, describing assaults that chain collectively a number of types of communication to deceive targets.
What units Jericho’s expertise aside is its concentrate on human vulnerability — extensively thought-about the weakest hyperlink in cybersecurity. The corporate claims that as much as 95% of knowledge breaches stem from human error. Their platform creates customized safety coaching applications based mostly on particular person threat profiles, utilizing generative AI to simulate refined assaults together with deepfake impersonations and AI-generated malware.
Deepfake assaults and drone pilot concentrating on: The brand new frontier of navy cybersecurity
The contract comes at a essential time, as navy personnel face more and more focused assaults. “There was a highly publicized spear-phishing attack targeting Air Force drone pilots using fake user manuals,” Wohns revealed, highlighting how the corporate helped consider vulnerabilities by way of assault simulation and specialised coaching.
For a younger firm competing within the crowded cybersecurity market, touchdown a Protection Division contract represents a significant validation. The deal positions Jericho Safety to broaden past its business roots into the profitable authorities sector, the place cybersecurity spending continues to develop amid escalating threats.
Army contracts usually require stringent safety measures. Wohns emphasised that Jericho maintains “military-grade cybersecurity standards” together with end-to-end encryption and remoted safe environments for dealing with delicate navy information.
The following technology of AI protection: Predator and prey mannequin
In contrast to conventional cybersecurity approaches that react to recognized threats, Jericho Safety employs what Wohns calls a “predator and prey” mannequin. “We started with attack simulation, giving us a continuous stream of real-time data to enhance both offensive and defensive capabilities,” he mentioned. This twin method permits their AI programs to evolve alongside rising threats relatively than merely responding to them.
The Air Pressure contract, executed by way of AFWERX—the innovation arm of the Division of the Air Pressure—is a part of a broader initiative to speed up navy adoption of personal sector expertise. AFWERX has awarded over 6,200 contracts price greater than $4.7 billion since 2019, working to strengthen the U.S. protection industrial base and velocity up expertise deployment.
