30 January 2018

Google Parent Alphabet Launches New Cyber Security Business Billed As A ‘Digital Immune System’ To Fight Off Hackers


Agency France Presse (AFP) posted an article, January 24, 2018, to the website of the Daily Mail, with the title above. The article begins by noting that “Google’s parent Alphabet’s ‘moonshot’ lab unveiled a new ‘graduate’ which aims to make a business out of preventing cyber attacks. Chronicle, is the latest business unit to proclaim independence from the “X” lab — devoted to ambitious projects,” the publication noted. “Other ‘graduates’ from X include Waymo, the self-driving car; and, life sciences operation – Verily,” AFP noted.

“Chronicle began as an X project about two years ago,” AFP explained, “according to an online post by Chief Executive, Stephen Gillett. “He described Chronicle as ‘a new independent business within Alphabet that’s dedicated to helping companies find and stop cyber attacks before they cause harm.”

As the AFP notes, “the X lab has been known for big bets, on big technologies. Alphabet has spun companies out when they show signs they might be viable businesses on their own.”

Chronicle will offer customers/businesses, “VirusTotal Malware intelligence service,”which according to Mr. Gillett, Alphabet acquired in 2012.

‘Astro Teller, “the captain of X lab moonshots, told AFP that this latest effort is aimed at being a ‘digital immune system.’ “Most organizations currently have to work like doctors treating a disease after the symptoms have shown up and the damage is done,” Mr. Teller explained in a blog post. “Your body solves this problem by building antibodies to identify and reject things that shouldn’t be in your body. What if we could find a way to do the same kind of real-time adaptation to emerging cyber security threats to keep companies safe?,” Mr. Teller postulated.

AFP notes that “Chronicle has been working with Fortune 500 companies [no number was given], some of which are testing an early version of the cyber security intelligence platform.”

Interesting. The devil is obviously in the details. But, knowing the talent level and sophisticated skill-set of those working for Google/Alphabet, one can guess that this technology is leading edge. This initiative/effort may send a chill throughout some parts of the private-sector cyber security domain, if this new effort, technique, and technology proves to be useful and value-added. RCP, fortunascorner.com

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