Cybersecurity training company Hack The Box Ltd. announced today that it has acquired LetsDefend Inc., a provider of a blue team training platform, for an undisclosed price.

Founded in 2021, LetsDefend offers an interactive cybersecurity training platform that focuses on “blue team” skills development. A blue team is responsible for defending organizations against cyberattacks by monitoring, detecting and responding to threats in real time.

LetsDefend says its platform differs from other solutions that emphasize offensive training, such as penetration testing, by instead giving learners hands-on defensive experience in a simulated security operations center. The company’s simulated SOC environment allows users to investigate simulated cyber incidents ranging from phishing emails and malware infections to complex network intrusions.

The platform integrates guided exercises and simulations with detailed explanations to ensure that learners can practice and understand the theory behind their actions. Thrown into the mix is a gamified approach that LetDefend says adds engagement by rewarding users as they complete tasks and progress through increasingly challenging incident scenarios.

The company has also cultivated a global community of more than 320,000 members across more than 150 countries that fosters peer learning, knowledge sharing and collaboration. It allows users to discuss techniques, solve problems and build networks within the cybersecurity industry.

The combination of Hack The Box and LetsDefend, the companies say, will offer hands-on labs, real-world simulations and cross-role skill development to empower enterprises, governments and academic institutions to continuously benchmark, upskill, and certify their cyber workforce.

“Today’s cyber threats demand that security professionals train in a holistic, predictive way,” said Hack the Box founder and Chief Executive Haris Pylarinos. “Together with LetsDefend, we will provide a one-stop platform where aspiring penetration testers and SOC analysts can learn side by side, effectively gamifying the entire cyber kill chain. This collaboration delivers to our community and organizations an unparalleled environment to prepare for and overcome real-world cyber warfare.”

Post-acquisition, the two companies will also have one of the largest communities in the cybersecurity market. Hack The Box will also expand community events, virtual meetups and “capture the flag” competitions to include both offensive and defensive elements.

Image: LetsDefend