Barracuda boosts threat detection with multimodal AI upgrade

Barracuda Networks has introduced new threat detection capabilities powered by multimodal artificial intelligence designed to improve protection against emerging cyber attacks.

The latest technology enables real-time analysis and correlation of various data types such as URLs, documents, images, and QR codes to maximise accuracy and speed of threat detection.

Barracuda's integration of multimodal AI expands on its established use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The system can now process and interpret multiple data streams in parallel, combining its machine learning classifiers with a dedicated sandbox engine for enhanced security performance.

The company reports that this upgrade results in the detection of more than three times as many malicious files, with detection speeds reaching eight times faster than previous models. These improvements are attributed to the simultaneous processing of text and visual data, enabling a more comprehensive approach to threat assessment.

Sunil Kumar, Vice President of Advanced Technology at Barracuda, highlighted the necessity for adaptive security measures in response to the growing use of artificial intelligence by cybercriminals.

He said, "As cybercriminals increasingly weaponise AI to launch targeted, sophisticated and evasive attacks, businesses need security that's equally intelligent and adaptive. By leveraging multimodal AI, we're taking a holistic approach to analyse different data types to identify attacks that bypass traditional models. It's a transformative step forward in proactive cybersecurity."

The enhanced detection features are available as part of Barracuda Advanced Threat Protection, which provides layered protection for organisations using the Barracuda platform. This technology also strengthens Barracuda LinkProtect, a solution that examines URLs for hidden or malicious content, scripts, and redirects, using virtual sandboxing and a secure browser environment.

According to Barracuda, threat intelligence is distributed across its entire platform in real time, supporting automated, adaptive responses at all levels.

Wyatt Hansen, Vice President of Information Technology Services at LeaderOne Financial, commented on Barracuda's new capabilities and their importance in the financial services sector.

He stated, "Barracuda's threat detection is unmatched. It's the clear gold standard in cybersecurity. As a leading national mortgage lender managing more than USD $1 billion in loans, safeguarding our client and partner data is critical."

"Barracuda's ability to stay ahead of emerging attacks gives us confidence that our business and more than 500 employees are protected against even the most advanced and sophisticated threats. With Barracuda, we're not just reacting to threats – we're staying steps ahead of them."

Barracuda's adoption of multimodal AI is intended to address the increased sophistication of cyber attacks, particularly those that attempt to evade traditional security models by leveraging a mix of text and visual data.

The company asserts that as cyber threats continue to evolve, organisations require security solutions that can adapt quickly and provide contextual analysis across disparate data formats.

Barracuda's updated platform is positioned to assist businesses by providing automated protection and sharing threat intelligence across its services to address newly developed and previously unseen security challenges.