The Future of Cloud-Based Security Solutions - Secure or Unsecure?

Hackers and antivirus makers were put on notice last week when two shining stars in the $67 billion worldwide cyber-security universe announced their merger. Milpitas, Calif.-based global network security company FireEye has acquired Washington, D.C.-based cyber-security firm Mandiant. FireEye’s cloud-based systems work differently than traditional — and declining — antiviruses, which look for known cyber-threats that have already struck other targets.

FireEye solutions quarantine inbound traffic, scanning for shady characters, be they from hackers, competitors or even nation states. “Documents [released to the public by Edward Snowden] have made it evident to companies that the United States monitors allies as well as adversaries, including friendly governments, international organizations and the networks of some Internet companies,” The New York Times stated last week. “Some of them could turn to companies like FireEye and Mandiant for protection, an interesting twist since many of Mandiant’s employees come out of the American intelligence world.” What is the fate of cloud-based security? Share your comments with the Cloud and Cyber Security Center.