Artificial intelligence and Machine learning are at the forefront of the next technology revolution. Moreover, their use cases in fighting the ransomware battle are exceptionally compelling. Among the pioneering solutions for ransomware defense, the best-in-class are from big tech companies such as Cisco, IBM, Microsoft, Sophos, McAfee, and Checkpoint.

Let’s explore 6 of the elitist patents from these tech giants.

This detailed analysis will empower us to harness the most potent applications in ransomware defense, including its detection AND enable you to construct the most impenetrable digital fortress for unmatched cybersecurity.

Cisco’s Dynamic Behavioral Analysis (Patent US10826783B2)

This patent performs even better than an Elite Endurance Athlete

Because it monitors network traffic 24/7 while continuously leveraging its machine learning capabilities, it can detect ransomware activities in real-time.

Moreover, its patented technology has 3 other key components that use dynamic behavioral analysis apart from vigilant traffic monitoring. These are:

1. Monitoring unusual encryption activities that are highly indicative of a ransomware attack in progress. 
2. Identifying and prioritizing data that is most classified and needs the highest protection and then conferring that level of security that it warrants. 
3. Embracing a holistic approach, by which these solutions prioritize protection while deploying effective recovery and containment measures in case of a data breach. This comprehensive strategy ensures the highest level of damage control, giving you the ultimate peace of mind in the face of constantly evolving ransomware defense tactics.

IBM’s Contextual Threat Intelligence (Patent US10583221B1)

This patent is your ULTIMATE Mixed Martial Arts Defense against ransomware…

In no other physical training is context as paramount as combat sport. 

Not surprisingly, we can apply the same analogy in cyberspace, wherein AI-driven contextual threat detection can be your most robust defense against your increasingly agile opponents. 

IBM’s patented technology revolutionizes this through data correlation from diverse, unrelated sources across different systems and timeframes. This can detect anomalies indicative of ransomware activity faster than your opponent can knock you out.

This contextual approach enhances predictive intelligence by forecasting planned ransomware activity based on analysis derived from past incidents.

Moreover, in the rare yet unfortunate case of a data breach, the contextual monitoring of network logs helps diagnose the breach thoroughly, enabling you to understand just what, when, and how the data breach occurred.

Overall, IBM’s Contextual Threat Intelligence (Patent US10583221B1) enables a cybersecurity team to adopt a holistic and targeted strategy toward ransomware, enhancing the team’s ability to detect, prevent, and respond to threats.

Sophos’ Feature-Based Detection (Patent US10750244B2)

The Triathlete that covers ALL features for peak performance 

Sophos is world-renowned for its cutting-edge cybersecurity technology. So, it’s a no-brainer that this patent is yet another unique and unparalleled offering.

The patented technology utilizes advanced machine-learning methods to examine features that flag encrypted files. 

It puts its tech into practice by:

1. Checking the files for data randomness: Unlike regular files, encrypted files read like gibberish with no discernible patterns or segments. 
2. Examining File Header Data: Encrypted files may start with a metadata section or specific header containing information about the encryption algorithm or the key used. 
3. Inspecting File Size: Encrypted files often alter their size due to various encryption patterns.
4. Investigating the File Extension: Sometimes, though not always, encrypted files have extensions that give away their true identity. Examples of these could be .enc or .crypt.

McAfee’s Ensemble Learning Models (Patent US10914009B2)

The Decathlon Winner…

McAfee’s patented technology employs ensemble learning models. 

The advantages of this patented technology are multifold:

1. Strength in Diversity: Harnessing the strengths of a diverse range of algorithms mitigates weaknesses that a single model approach may have. This test results in greater sensitivity and specificity in identifying constantly evolving ransomware defense.
2. Leveraging the opinion of multiple experts at once: Leveraging and combining the views of various algorithms makes for supremely powerful technology- it’s like having a panel of experts or in this analogy, power-athletes instead of just one.
3. Higher scalability and return on investment: Instead of relying on several, different powerful models in a silo, which can get quite expensive and impractical, this solution is perfect for large organizations to deploy across the board. Using ensemble models that combine the best of multiple models wins the decathlon when compared to the stupendous cost and inconvenience of having numerous specific single models.

Check Point’s Graph-Based Analysis (Patent US10806839B2)

The “Star Trek(ker)”…

Check Point’s patented technology employs graph-based analysis techniques and leverages AI and ML algorithms to detect ransomware infections in real time.

This technology soars great heights (pun intended) because leveraging graph-based technology can provide a great visual aid in representing the connections and interactions in a system. It gives this substantial, holistic visual aid through:

1. Representation in the form of nodes and edges: This graph-based analysis allows for easy coordinate tracking, with the nodes represented as the computer, servers, and routers. In contrast, the edges represent the communication or data flow between these nodes.
2. Easy detection through visual anomalies: Because of the visual ease with which a graph structure can be recognized, it becomes much faster and easier to detect ransomware activity, which typically appears in the form of new nodes or data in the network. 
3. Granular tracking: The graph-based analysis is highly accurate in tracking the trajectory of a ransomware attack. It trails the nodes and subsequent edges to “map out” the direction of the attack.
4. Easy scalability and real-time feedback loop: This technology is easily implementable and scalable across large networks and has a strong ROI. Moreover, its real-time and visual feedback mechanism also makes it an excellent option for large organizations.

Microsoft’s Predictive Analytics (Patent US10893758B1)

Microsoft is the “Messi” that can fix any ransomware mess…

The best footballers in the world, including the legendary Messi, use the strategy of predicting the opponent team’s tactics to decide how to act immediately. Even during the most action-packed, high-stakes game. 

Microsoft’s patented technology utilizes the same prediction strategy, but it is even more powerful because it leverages machine learning in its predictive analytics. 

By leveraging historical data, they can:

• Effectively detect anomalies,
• Proactively prevent and mitigate threats even before a data breach occurs, and…
• Plan a structured response to strike back. 

If an attack still occurs, they power their patented technology to analyze the full extent of the damage. This breach analysis includes the sensitivity and size of the data breach, which encompasses any IPs and individual personal information. Knowing the extent and nature of the ransomware attack empowers them to execute ideal containment and response strategies.  

The synergy between AI and ML, with patented technologies from these bleeding-edge tech companies, is revolutionizing cybersecurity. 

By capitalizing on the technology from these innovative solutions, organizations can take their cybersecurity defenses up several notches. Organizations should foster a future-driven, ever-evolving culture to effectively combat the increasingly sophisticated strategies of ransomware attackers.

– By The Editorial Team