Given the rising number of cyberattacks by state-sponsored groups and other malicious actors, Microsoft has been investing heavily in expanding its cybersecurity capabilities. Last month, the software giant released a new tool called Counterfit that automates the security testing of an organization’s AI systems; and partnered with Darktrace to help customers combat cyber threats with AI.

Today, Microsoft announced it has acquired ReFirm Labs, a US-based company that provides tools to evaluate and monitor risks lurking inside the firmware of IoT and connected devices. The acquisition will bolster Microsoft’s Azure Defender for IoT platform; helping customers protect against sophisticated firmware and supply chain attacks.

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Also, Microsoft noted that firmware is rapidly becoming the next big attack surface; as well as many device builders which integrate third-party components in their products often lack the expertise or the tools to detect any underlying vulnerabilities. According to a survey of 1,000 IT security professionals that Microsoft recently commissioned; 83 percent of responders had experienced some sort of firmware security incident; but only 29 percent committed resources to discover and mitigate such issues.

With the addition of ReFirm Labs’ technology and its highly regarded Binwalk open-source firmware analysis tool, Microsoft aspires to provide customers with an all-in-one, cloud-based solution that will help them identify, monitor; and respond to security issues ranging from the chip- and firmware-level to the network and the cloud.

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