In a world where software and services thrive, hardware is often seen as being boring, obsolete and unattractive. One trend that is taking the world of security by storm though is the rise of security boxes such as the Bitdefender BOX 2 which aim to bring a physical (and perhaps reassuring) presence on-premise. We believe this could be the future of security, or at least a major component of it.
What are security boxes?
These cybersecurity hubs, as Bitdefender calls them, aim at simplifying security within a household by providing with a virtual umbrella that protects all devices regardless of what they are: computers, smartphones (Android or iOS), tablets, baby monitors, game consoles, smart TVs, wireless cameras and everything that’s connected to the internet in your household.
What are the advantages of such a box?
One cannot stress enough the importance of simplicity when it comes to online security. Having to juggle different accounts, keeping different pieces of security software on multiple platforms updated can be such a hassle.
Often security fatigue creeps in - you missed the renewal of one security package or you forgot to install security software on a new device that you bought - and hackers only need one shot in order to penetrate a security perimeter to install their malicious payload.
With the likes of the Bitdefender BOX, it is essentially Fire and Forget. One yearly subscription covers an unlimited number of devices, both permanent and transient, all the time, every time. You don’t have to register your device, just connecting to the BOX makes you more secure.
What are the unique selling points of having hardware?
Having compute and storage resources within a set perimeter (i.e. an office or a household) is a boon as it allows so much more to be done locally, without interruption and provider virtually instant response to threats. New technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning suddenly become more realistic especially as it is easier to offer updates to improve performance and features.
Additional computational capabilities allow the Bitdefender BOX for example to use machine-learning algorithms and intrusion prevention systems to pick up new threats and unsafe behavior and keep your smart home safe. It will constantly scan the traffic your IoT devices do and learn their normal behavior. Once Bitdefender BOX observes abnormal traffic through its Anomaly Detection engine, it will block it.
Bitdefender BOX also includes a vulnerability assessment module – just plug a vulnerable device into your network and Bitdefender BOX will detect it and notify you about the danger. This feature lets you enjoy your device without constantly having to worry that it might be riddled with holes that would land it into the wrong hands.
Likewise, Bitdefender Parental Control uses artificial intelligence to scan online conversations for potential bullying, requests for meetings from strangers, and disclosure of personal information such as a personal address or credit card details.
What is coming next?
It is only a matter of time before security boxes evolve into more powerful security hubs that are capable of not only protecting us at home but also our virtual content online and our personae. That means being the gatekeeper of our social accounts, being able to track down compromised profiles online or on the dark web, securing our household by providing real time analysis of potential threats (burglars, a fire etc) and keeping an eye on your financials to identify fraud through credit monitoring and more.
What makes Bitdefender Box different from other security boxes?
It can work as a standalone secure router and offers comprehensive security features like deep packet inspection, intrusion detection and prevention systems, anomaly detection and vulnerability assessment. It even offers a VPN to protect your online activity outside of your household. But probably the most important aspect is that the Bitdefender BOX is built by a cyber-security company with a near-perfect track record in detecting and blocking malware – you’re not just getting a cool device, you also get the best protection a cyber-security company can provide.
- With a worldwide network of 500 million machines, Bitdefender has the largest security delivery infrastructure on the globe. Performing 11 billion security queries per day, Bitdefender detects, anticipates and takes action to neutralize even the newest dangers anywhere in the world in as little as 3 seconds.
