Check Point Launches Crowdsourcing Threat Cloud

Check Point has launched ThreatCloud – a tool built into the company’s new GAiA operating system to let users share threat information with one another.

The security company is trying to get protections out to users quicker than antivirus companies do, by relying on speedy reports from its users rather than trusting themselves to find out what dangers need dealing with.

When odd behaviour, such as bot or malware activity, occurs on a customer’s network, an “identifier” is sent to the ThreatCloud before a relevant fix or update is pushed across to other Check Point users, as soon as someone creates it. It is akin to crowdsourced Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and builds on a similar project carried out by Check Point’s consumer arm, ZoneAlarm.

Cloud security

The feature is part of the GAiA OS, which Check Point also launched today and provides a single operating system for customers’ deployments.

Businesses can choose whether they want to switch the ThreatCloud on or off, and can make the option automated or take manual control over what information is shared with the Check Point community via an in-built management console.

Check Point has pushed out some fresh products supported by ThreatCloud, including new Anti-Bot Software Blade and Antivirus Software Blade technologies. Dedicated teams in the US and Israel will help push out updates too, using the ThreatCloud intelligence.

The company told TechWeekEurope it would be open to allowing other vendors to join the ThreatCloud.

“Could we share information with others? We could, but there is no defined strategy to do so,” said Terry Greer-King, UK managing director for Check Point. “Customers can choose to ignore ThreatCloud, that’s fine, but we’d think they’d want to take advantage of it.”

The GAiA OS marks an important moment for Check Point too, as it means customers can use one operating system to manage all their Check Point products. “It’s trying to do away with the disparity of different operating systems. And it’s free too,” Greer-King added.

Cloud is something the vendor is keen to exploit. Earlier this year, Check Point announced virtual security gateways for Amazon Web Services (AWS).

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