--- title: "IBM Built a Menacing Black Truck for “Cybersecurity Incident Response”" description: "When a cybersecurity disaster strikes, IBM's C-TOC can roll up like a SWAT vehicle, screech to a halt, and deal with the intrusion." date: "2018-10-15" modified: "2018-10-15" authors: - name: "Jon Christian" job_title: "Executive Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jonc" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/cybersecurity-c-toc-ibm" categories: - "Cybersecurity" - "Future Society" tags: - "c-toc" - "ibm" - "the digest" - "x-force command cyber tactical operations center" --- # IBM Built a Menacing Black Truck for “Cybersecurity Incident Response” ![When a cybersecurity disaster strikes, IBM's cyberpunk new vehicle can roll up like a SWAT team of hackers, screech to a halt and deal with the intrusion.]() *\Image: IBM\* ## Cyberpunk Whip The exterior is sleek and menacing, all black paint and chrome. The inside is awash with computer screens, like the set of a '90s hacker movie. The semi truck isn't a leftover prop from the "Ghost in the Shell" remake*.* It's IBM's X-Force Command Cyber Tactical Operations Center, which has the tough-sounding acronym C-TOC — and, according to the computer giant, and it could be corporations' best line of defense against cyber attacks. ## Skrrt Squad The [idea]() is that the cyberpunk vehicle will serve as a control center for a SWAT-like team of white-hat hackers, transporting these experts to corporate clients on the receiving ends of cybersecurity disasters. According to an [IBM press release](), the truck features a data center, satellite and cell communications, self-sustaining power, and two dozen "operators, analysts, and incident command center staff." It's modeled after the mobile command centers used by the military and first responders. ## Training Day IBM claims it can use the vehicle to respond to incidents or to provide extra cybersecurity support during major events. But the vehicle's main purpose will be training clients to deal with the types of hacks they're likely to encounter. On Thursday, C-TOC will visit the National Mall in Washington, DC, where its entourage will consult with congressional staff and other government workers about online threats. “Experiencing a major cyberattack is one of the worst crisis a company can face,” Caleb Barlow, IBM vice president of threat intelligence, said in the press release, “and the leadership, skills, and coordination required is not something you want to test out for the first time when you’re facing a real attack.” **READ MORE:** [IBM Rolls Out Industry's First Cybersecurity Operations Center on Wheels]() \[IBM\] ***More on cybersecurity: [Cyber Warfare Is Growing. We Need Rules to Protect Ourselves.]()*** ## Author I'm responsible for editing, assigning, and scouting at Futurism, as well as occasionally writing for the site. That work involves keeping an eye on a wide range of narratives and issues, but over the past few years I've become increasingly interested in how AI is shaping the future of media, the web, and information itself. My day-to-day often involves collaborating on reporting and commentary projects bylined by my colleagues, but I try to find time to do my own reporting as well; stories I've broken for Futurism have been cited by publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the New Yorker, Wired, Ars Technica, New York Magazine, the Columbia Journalism Review, Bloomberg, and more. I grew up in Southern Vermont and attended Vanderbilt University. Prior to Futurism, I contributed to outlets including the Boston Globe, Vice, Wired, Slate, the Atlantic, the Outline, Ars Technica and more, and did stints in farming and food service. I currently live in Brooklyn, New York, and in my free time I enjoy pinball, word games, cycling, running, and music production. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()