Profile on ESET: This Cybersecurity Firm is Not Just Making Security Software, It Has Become a Trusted Security Advisor

ESET’s leading malware researchers and cybersecurity experts have helped the FBI and Europol in efforts to disrupt major cybercrime operations around the world, and its technology has stopped some of the largest global cyber outbreaks.

We live in a world where it appears to be a matter of when, not if, an enterprise is breached. Billions of dollars have been spent on beefing up cybersecurity, but the crooks keep winning. Securing even a small organization seems quite hard.

In light of the above-mentioned scenario, we are thrilled to highlight ESET.

ESET (pronounced “e-set”) has grown to become one of the dominant players in cybersecurity over the last 30 years. Its tenure is nothing short of impressive. What started with three developers in the late 80’s building one of the first antivirus software programs, has matured into one of the largest endpoint security vendors in the world that now develops a variety of security solutions. Growing to boast 110 million end users around the world is no small feat. And in the security industry, a prerequisite for getting to that size is trust.

ESET was incorporated in 1992 and has global headquarters in the small European Union country of Slovakia. The company has now one if its largest offices in San Diego, Calif.

ESET spoke exclusively to The Silicon Review. Below is an excerpt.

Rewind: Taking Flight

In 1987, ESET’s founders – three developers working out of a home – built one of the first antivirus software programs; they named it ESET NOD32 Antivirus. The software was a response to emerging computer market what they anticipated would be needed to combat malware (malicious software) as it is commonly called today. As the proliferation of computers was just in its nascence, it became apparent to ESET founders that with the good – interconnectivity of devices – comes the bad; people trying to maliciously exploit vulnerabilities in computers for their own gain. This was the beginning of cybercrime, a problem today that costs the world $600 billion globally.

In 1999, seven years after its official formation in the European Union, ESET made a bold play and entered the North America market, setting up a subsidiary in Coronado, a quaint beach community in San Diego, Calif. At this time, ESET had already established itself in Europe as a major player in the antivirus (AV) consumer market, but its business products were taking shape and gaining ground too in response to organizations and government entities becoming increasingly targeted by cyber attacks. From hackers simply trying to see what they could ‘break,’ to the emergent nation-state (government) cyber-espionage groups stockpiling stealthy cyberattack tools, IT teams were increasingly charged with protecting their company networks; part of that protection relied on trusting security software companies to build the technologies that stayed one step ahead of the bad guys. ESET was largely favored in part because the unique way it detected and quarantined viruses.

“In the mid-90s, we introduced technologies that were some of the first of their kind, such as machine learning and neural networks. Our security technologies have undergone continuous refinement since the 90s, and so too have our security offerings. Today, ESET stands as the fifth largest endpoint security company in the world with over 110 million end users.”- ESET

ESET: Maintaining a Good Reputation

ESET is known by many as the ‘geek’ security brand, and there is a good reason for that; the company is run by technologists. The company spends its dollars on R&D – about 30 percent of employees around the world are in R&D – employing some of the greatest researchers and cyber minds in the world that have made important contributions to the cyber community and public.

Another step of trust validation is when Google selected ESET to power its Google Chrome Clean-up tool which now is used by the search giant to protect its hundreds of millions of users from unwanted applications.

Also importantly, ESET has always and still is dedicated a significant amount of resources to “research,” employing research teams around the world who have been responsible for identifying and discovering some of the largest cyberattacks in history. From “Industroyer” the discovery of a piece of malware that knocked out power to the capital of Ukraine, to its research and quick analysis on NotPetya, a devastating, fast-spreading piece of malware that ravaged businesses. It’s often the work that comes out of research that helps inform businesses, governments and the public so they can stay ahead of the emerging threats. Research also helps inform its security technology. For example, when the WannaCry ransomware hit, ESET’s layered defense “Network Attack Protection” module not only blocked the malware right away but actually stopped the spread – something that not all vendors can claim.

“ESET is trusted by law enforcement and government agencies that are dedicated to fighting cybercrime. Our leading malware researchers and cybersecurity experts have helped the FBI and Europol in efforts to disrupt major cybercrime operations around the world.”- ESET

ESET: Serving the Community

ESET has always been philanthropic at its core both in the cyber community and supporting the needs of its local community. In addition to starting a cyber education non-profit in the US that was recognized and awarded at the White House under the Obama administration, ESET also started a ‘Women in Cybersecurity’ scholarship that helps fund young women who aspire to have a career in cybersecurity. ESET has also supported the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and its cyber education programs and initiatives for over seven years.

Moreover, from ensuring that struggling youth have access to outdoor activities, to supporting families achieve food security, to helping on the ground in Puerto Rico when Hurricane Maria hit, ESET is there to lend a helping hand.

“When WannaCry hit, ESET’s layered defense ‘Network Attack Protection’ module not only blocked the malware right away but actually stopped the spread – something that not all vendors can claim.”- ESET

Keep in touch: www.eset.com