Acting Secretary Wolf Participates in Ceremonial Groundbreaking of CYCLOPS in Cyprus

 Today, Acting DHS Secretary Chad F. Wolf participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking event for the Cyprus Center for Land, Open-seas, and Port Security (CYCLOPS), a $5 million U.S.-funded regional training facility, with Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides. CYCLOPS was established in September 2020 by Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Cypriot partners, with facilities expected to be completed by November 2021.  Here, experts from the region will receive training on security and safety, including customs and exports control, port and maritime security, and combating cybercrime. 

“Projects like CYCLOPS help DHS and our partners across the globe keep our countries safe and secure,” said Acting Secretary Wolf. “I commend Foreign Minister Christodoulides and the entire Government of the Republic of Cyprus for their cooperation on these extremely important security issues.” CYCLOPS will include a number of different hands-on training platforms, including a mock land border crossing, passenger screening area, and a mobile cybercrime training lab, which will enable regional partners to learn best practices for securing critical infrastructure and to engage in cross border, counterproliferation cyber investigations.  The United States—including DHS—will provide equipment, trainers, and other capacity-building support, while the Republic of Cyprus will contribute land, facilitate travel, and provide trainers.