Rob Hankin, CTO, Cybit
Emerging vendor tips: Thread, Writer, Google ‘Willow’ and Dark Invader
Thread transforms the customer experience within IT support by delivering instant, AI-generated service integrated into their own communication platforms like Microsoft Teams. This also massively reduces the amount of low-level support jobs touched by MSPs and in-house service teams so that focus can be placed on business drivers rather than reactive tasks.
Regarding Writer, generative AI is being adopted across businesses of all sizes but generic GPTs and LLMs cover information inside and outside of the business domain. This can greatly limit business application and accuracy while opening the door to privacy concerns. Writer provides tailored, business-oriented solutions for a more relevant and Generative AI experience within a company’s applications.
Okay, Willow is not exactly a “new kid on the block”, but I am very excited on the news around their “Willow” quantum chip offers hope of a huge leap forward in computing. Its incredible power could help solve the world’s most complex problems such as drug development, climate modelling and improving energy systems like improving battery designs.
BUT security has already been cited as a concern with its potential to break cryptographic systems so this will likely provoke an entirely new approach to encryption in future. “
Dark Invader is relatively new but tapping into equally ‘new’ company/business fears of a) brand and b) rise and rise of digital scamming and human trust in online brand led promises (credential phishing attacks surged by 703% in the second half of 2024, according to a new report by SlashNext, while phishing attacks overall saw a 202% increase during the same period).
What I like about them is the human intelligence they bring into dark web monitoring for not only credential leaks but also brand protection. They offer a business centric approach to protecting against cyber threat to brand trust rather than the traditional IT slant.