By Rathna Kalidas, Senior Product Manager, K7 Computing
I have often wondered about the gross mismatch between potential and reality in terms of Big Tech’s contributions to anti-cybercrime partnerships and collaborations; at the very least their presence in such partnerships is disproportionate to their reach and visibility. Big Tech, with its huge financial, human and technology resources (operating systems, cloud platforms, hardware devices, etc.), and truly global presence, could catapult such collaborative efforts to another level altogether. Battle-weary artisanal companies and niche organisations could do with help in their fight against cybercrime, given the sheer scale, depth, and ferocity of modern attacks. Active participation of Big Tech in such forums would be a much needed shot in the arm for the cybersecurity industry as a whole.
Perhaps some time in the near future, such collaborations would be mandated via legislature, both local and international, and could become part of modern compliance standards. Policymakers could consider creating tax breaks, grants, or other financial incentives for Big Tech companies to actively collaborate with other firms on cybersecurity initiatives. By working in such partnerships for the greater good, Big Tech would be fulfilling part of its global corporate social responsibility, earning the goodwill of customers as well as other industry leaders, and keeping its customers and the general public safe from cyberattacks. Merely investing in R&D is insufficient in cybersecurity. 360 degree visibility would lack nonetheless! Many niche cybersecurity companies have valuable expertise, skills and unique insights that can help improve not just security solutions but also the technology created and offered by Big Tech companies, and provide them with enhanced, magnified vision where required. Partaking from and contributing to a diverse pool of talent and ideas will help all parties involved to come up with better security solutions, including frameworks like OWASP, and beyond. While Big Tech may initiate common platforms, it would be great if they also actively contribute to existing ones. Both approaches are valuable. A mix of proprietary initiatives and open collaboration ensures a balanced ecosystem based on trust and mutual benefits. By participating and helping in meaningful collaborations, Big Tech can make full use of their extensive resources and further both organisational and collective interests.
We at K7 understand the power of collaboration. As one of the oldest, enduring and independent anti-malware companies in the world, we have honed expertise in select avenues of cybersecurity. Our valuable partnership with CTA is two-way; we have been able to share our work with other members and we have gained a global perspective on cybercrime and its mitigation or arrest. Each member has been able to grow individually and appreciate each other’s strengths while still being competitors in the market. After all, a truly meaningful partnership is one that balances self-interest with collective benefit. As Mowgli (The Jungle Book) would say, “The strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.”