Scott Nicholas
Red Balloon Security has developed a special firmware defense technology designed to boost the resiliency of building controllers and automation systems against potential cyberattacks as part of a contract with the Department of Homeland Security‘s Science and Technology Directorate.
The company said Wednesday it worked with the Plum Island Animal Disease Center to develop the Symbiote Embedded Defense system built to disrupt attempts from perpetrators to attack building systems using malware, ransomware and other malicious codes.
The technology is merged with the firmware of the embedded device to offer intrusion defense along with code and data integrity monitoring at the firmware level which can help prevent unauthorized commands from being executed, noted Red Balloon.
Ang Cui, founder and CEO of Red Balloon Security, said the installation of a host-based defense system within embedded devices can help maintain the integrity of operations.
DHS awarded Red Balloon a $746,756 Small Business Innovation Research contract in October to develop the Symbiote Defense intrusion detection technology in support of the Hybrid Prediction for Embedded Malware initiative.
Red Balloon added it also plans to transition the Symbiote Embedded Defense technology to the commercial market to help protect facilities including hotels, office buildings, manufacturing plants, electric utility and water treatment plants that utilize embedded devices.
