Malware epidemic demands a united front

Enter web-based security cloud services that rely on millions of users for real-time web requests that are constantly analysed to detect newly injected malware attacks. Community watch cloud services see more web traffic than any one organisation, and can leverage more defenses -- such as multiple threat detection engines, minute-by-minute machine analysis and human reviewers to confirm detections -- than is manageable for an organisation. Every user request is analysed against these cloud defenses, offloading the web gateway to provide faster performance. The cloud service is also cost-effective for small and large organisations.

The key to a cloud service community watch is volume and repetition; through dynamic, minute-by-minute analysis of web page elements by cloud services. The more enterprises and home users that join the community, the better our chance of curbing the spread of malware.

The rapid spread of malware and the nimbleness of cybercriminals who can set up and dismantle sites in mere minutes, means that we must band together as a web community to gain the advantages of protection in numbers. A hybrid security solution that leverages the cloud service and works hand-in-glove with security web gateways installed at the network’s edge provides better protection for today’s malware attacks. Plus the cloud service can be leveraged to protect remote users, as they cannot drag traditional network defenses to airports, hotels and coffee shops.

For enterprise networks, the best approach combines security at the gateway with the protection of a cloud service that acts as a community in which all are notified when one discovers malware. We must all add yet another layer of protection, except this time behind a united front in the cloud.

Wayne Neich is the Director of Strategic Accounts for Blue Coat Systems, Australia and New Zealand.

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