Hacking Contest Targets AI Device Vulnerabilities, Hosted by Trend Micro

Pwn2Own Ireland Highlights Trend Micro’s Dedication to AI Security

In an era where cybersecurity threats are ever-evolving, Trend Micro Incorporated, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, has taken a proactive step to enhance the security of AI innovations. The company’s first-ever Pwn2Own competition in Ireland, supported by notable sponsors such as Meta, Synology, and QNAP, marks a significant milestone in uncovering vulnerabilities in AI-enabled devices and software. This event is pivotal as it invites ethical hackers worldwide to identify and report security flaws, ensuring vendors can rectify them promptly and protect consumers and enterprises alike.

The competition comes at a time when cybercriminals are increasingly targeting consumer devices as gateways to infiltrate enterprise networks. By exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities in widely-used AI technologies, malicious actors can cause substantial harm. Pwn2Own provides a platform for cybersecurity researchers to detect these vulnerabilities and report them responsibly, thereby enabling companies to patch these issues before they can be exploited maliciously. As a testament to the importance of this initiative, Trend Micro is committed to offering cash rewards to researchers who successfully identify vulnerabilities, allowing them to protect their customers an estimated 70 days before industry peers.

Importance of Discoveries at Pwn2Own

The findings from the Pwn2Own competition are invaluable for enterprises striving to manage cyber risks that are often challenging to oversee. Kevin Simzer, Trend Micro’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasized that enterprise security extends beyond conventional enterprise devices. With the rise of remote work and bring-your-own-device policies, consumer devices have become critical entry points for both employees and cybercriminals. This evolution poses a significant challenge for security leaders, who must now secure a complex and expansive attack surface.

Trend Micro’s bug bounty program, recognized as a market leader, incentivizes researchers to find vulnerabilities before cybercriminals do. By doing so, it bolsters security for both Trend Micro’s enterprise clients and the broader industry. Pwn2Own serves as a cornerstone in Trend Micro’s strategy to protect its customers well in advance of potential threats, and the company remains committed to hosting similar events throughout the year to maintain this momentum.

Generative AI: A New Vector for Cyber Threats

The rapid adoption of generative AI tools has opened new avenues for cyber threats. Malicious actors can exploit these tools to damage digital infrastructure, infiltrate cloud networks, steal sensitive data, and even create convincing deepfakes for fraudulent activities. Consumer devices leveraging local AI tools pose additional risks to enterprise security. Even when these devices are not connected to internal networks, they can still pose threats due to data being stored locally or transmitted elsewhere by AI applications.

During the Pwn2Own event, researchers will be rewarded for divulging vulnerabilities across seven key categories: Mobile Phones, Messenger Apps, Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) systems, Surveillance Systems, Home Automation Hubs, Printers, Smart Speakers, and Network Attached Storage (NAS) Devices. AI will play a dual role in this setup, assisting both attackers and defenders. Trend Micro plans to integrate the researchers’ findings into its threat intelligence database in real-time, enhancing its ability to predict and mitigate risks.

The Role of Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative

Dustin Childs, Head of Threat Awareness at Trend’s Zero Day Initiative, highlighted the challenges organizations face due to the widespread use of AI tools and consumer devices on enterprise networks. With vulnerabilities in these devices and applications being inevitable, Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative is committed to identifying these flaws before they can be exploited by threat actors. By doing so, they aim to reduce risks for employees, enterprises, partners, and the general public without imposing additional burdens on security teams or budgets.

To counteract the diverse and swift nature of threats, Trend Micro has heavily invested in its flagship platform, Trend Vision One. This platform delivers groundbreaking security solutions for AI services and the individuals who use them. Among its 2024 innovations are deepfake detection capabilities, native protection for AI PCs, AI data center security, and the development of AI integrations. These advancements underscore Trend Micro’s dedication to secure AI deployments for both enterprises and governmental entities.

Commitment to Responsible AI

Trend Micro is steadfast in its commitment to responsible AI practices. The company believes that all security vendors bear the responsibility to ensure that technologies are developed and utilized ethically, transparently, and with accountability. This commitment is reflected in their robust responsible AI model, which guides their efforts in AI security.

The Pwn2Own Ireland competition is taking place in Cork from October 22-25, 2024. This event not only highlights Trend Micro’s leadership in cybersecurity but also reiterates the importance of collective efforts in safeguarding AI innovations from emerging threats.

For those interested in learning more about Pwn2Own and Trend Micro’s initiatives, additional information can be found on the Zero Day Initiative’s blog. By fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation, Trend Micro continues to pave the way for a safer digital future.

About Trend Micro

Trend Micro is a global leader in cybersecurity, dedicated to making the digital world a safer place for exchanging information. With decades of expertise in security, comprehensive global threat research, and a commitment to continuous innovation, Trend Micro’s AI-driven cybersecurity platform protects numerous organizations and individuals across various platforms—clouds, networks, devices, and endpoints.

As a frontrunner in cloud and enterprise cybersecurity, Trend Micro’s platform offers a wide array of advanced threat defense techniques, optimized for environments like AWS, Microsoft, and Google. By providing centralized visibility, the company ensures faster and more effective threat detection and response. With a workforce of 7,000 employees across 70 countries, Trend Micro empowers organizations to simplify and secure their interconnected world. For more information, visit www.TrendMicro.com.

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