ThreatExchange: Facebook’s New Social Network for Security Professionals
Facebook has launched another social network, only this time to help industry experts connect, the special social network is built to connect cybersecurity experts, professionals and companies alike.
Facebook announced their latest project in connecting the world, calling it ThreatExchange, a social network for security experts and companies to better connect and share information about online threats as they emerge. Online threats such as malicious applications, vulnerabilities within a service, phishing or spam attacks and a variety of other emerging online threats.
In wake of the ever growing cybercriminal industry initiating attacks against some of the world’s largest companies, Facebook has created a dedicated network for security professionals to easily connect across industries and alert each other as threats become known. The world’s largest social network has created a dedicated environment for companies and individuals to connect, yet with the same privacy controls average Facebook individuals already have access too. Meaning security professionals utilizing ThreatExchange won’t have to worry whom they disclose sensitive information too, as it can be easily marked private.
As Facebook claims they take privacy serious throughout their social network, which we often know is a lie, the company may be serious this time. Participants within the network “choose from a defined set of data types that exclude categories of sensitive data, and a number of safeguards help ensure that threat data isn’t accidentally shared broadly.” Such an approach makes it easier for organizations that may want to share sensitive information with another company that may be experiencing a similar attack.
“ThreatExchange is a platform created by Facebook that enables security professionals anywhere to share threat information more easily, learn from each other’s discoveries, and make their own systems safer,” the official website reads. “We included a set of privacy controls so that participants can help protect any sensitive data by specifying who can see the threat information they contribute.”
“That’s the beauty of working together on security. When one company gets stronger, so do the rest of us.”
Facebook’s ThreatExchange takes an API approach, that builds off Facebook’s already internal ThreatData system, to create a platform designed for sharing indicators such as bad URLs and domains.
ThreatExchange is currently in its beta testing phase, and has already adopted some early partners to participate, including Bitly, Dropbox, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, Twitter and Yahoo.
ThreatExchange is Facebook’s latest attempt to help fend off against the plague of cyberattacks hitting corporations and government agencies worldwide. Following the devastating Sony Pictures hack last year, U.S. president Barack Obama allocated $14 billion in the 2016 budget to enhance cybersecurity operations throughout the government. Alongside that, the administration announced on Tuesday their creation of the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center, a security service to help government agencies share cyberthreat information securely.
Though ThreatExchange may sound like a social network you would be interested in, you may not be eligible. To sign up and gain access to the beta phase of Facebook’s social network for security experts, it requires you input your first and last name and a working business email. Meaning only corporate employees or recognized security professionals are able to gain access at the moment.
Facebook’s operation could be a great way for corporations and government agencies to keep up to date on the latest and emerging threats, giving them the necessary information to protect themselves, their employees and our information.
