2 weeks ago
AI Tool Argo Targets Vulnerabilities in Critical Infrastructure Systems
Argo is a new computer tool made by the cybersecurity company Atalanta.
It uses artificial intelligence and mathematics to look for weaknesses in computer programs and connected systems.
The technology helped protect Viasat after Russia attacked satellite modems in 2022.
That attack disrupted communications in Ukraine and other European countries.
Experts are concerned because cyberattacks can affect important services such as water systems.
Atalanta says older cybersecurity tools are not enough for today’s threats.
The technology is also being used in a U.S. Department of Energy project involving autonomous nuclear reactors.
A government cybersecurity scientist said tools like Argo could eventually become standard for testing new systems.
Cybersecurity company Atalanta released Argo, an AI-assisted tool for analyzing software and internet-connected systems.
The technology helped secure Viasat’s satellite communications network after a Russian cyberattack in 2022.
Atalanta says Argo combines artificial intelligence, complex mathematics and “software understanding” to identify vulnerabilities.
The tool is being used in the Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission, which aims to create autonomous nuclear reactors.
Experts expect this type of technology to become a standard part of cybersecurity development within the next decade or two.
- Who
- Atalanta developed Argo, with technology used by Viasat and interest from U.S. government research organizations.
- What
- Argo is an AI-assisted cybersecurity tool designed to analyze software and internet-connected systems for vulnerabilities.
- Where
- The technology is intended for critical systems, including satellite communications and infrastructure in the United States and other countries.
- When
- Atalanta released Argo after technology from the project helped respond to the 2022 attack on Viasat’s network.
- Why
- It aims to help defend critical systems against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, including threats linked to Russia and Iran.
Key facts
- Tool
- Argo, released by cybersecurity company Atalanta
- Core technology
- “Software understanding,” combining complex mathematics and artificial intelligence
- Earlier application
- Helped secure Viasat’s satellite communications network after a 2022 Russian hacking attack
- 2022 disruption
- Russia disabled thousands of satellite modems in Ukraine and other European countries on the day it invaded Ukraine
- Government project
- Atalanta’s technology is being used in the Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission
- Projected adoption
- Idaho National Laboratory’s Greg Shannon said the technology could become standard in development toolkits within 10 to 20 years
- Research investment
- DARPA has invested more than $2 billion in related formal-methods programs, according to Shannon
Quotes
Nick Saunders
Chief of cyber strategy, Viasat
“The tools and techniques of yesterday do not scale for today, and software understanding is going to be the path forward for anyone building a system of consequence for the United States.”
deccanchronicle.com
“We have built over the past year, working with Atalanta, a capability where we can start to develop an understanding of how our systems are more resilient against attacks.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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