Hacking and cyber-attacks are an issue more than ever.

Almost everywhere you turn in the papers, you read about a hacking event against some major corporation.

Half of the US population was compromised in the Equifax hack, the SEC is admitting to a massive EDGAR breach in 2016, and Deloitte’s recent hack now appears far worse than initially though.

As hackers continue to make inroads into most security platforms, and costs for services like DDoS mitigation and CDN hosting continue to increase, it seems that the internet world is in need a of a new and better solution, and blockchain may be the answer.

Yes, in blockchain we’ll trust when it comes to the future of cyber security.

Problems abound

One very effective hacking process is called a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS). During a DDoS attack, a pool of compromised computer systems attack a single server or network. The compromised source machines inundate the victim with requests and packets which eventually overwhelm the processor. The ensuing shut down results in a denial of service to legitimate consumers.

Traditional software platforms for stopping DDoS attacks are often unable to cope with the massive amount of data since, after one system is breached, others will follow quickly. Traditional DDoS platforms are forced to control the massive data stream from an increasing number of machines and therefore often get overwhelmed.

Additionally, CDN services can be very costly and often glitchy. Traditional systems are limited in their approach and feasibility, and can be incredibly expensive, depending on service quality.

Most services provide companies with location-specific servers globally, in order for access to the site from any machine can be relative quick. These traditional platforms can be extremely costly because of today’s data-rich website expectations, since such services charge per GB. Large web traffic can cost companies millions in hours.

Enter blockchain

Blockchain technology is creating a new way to stop DDoS attacks, while at the same time changing the way CDN services are offered. This is being done through decentralization – or the process of moving information onto many participating machines within a connected database environment.

There’s no question that blockchain technology is disrupting industries, and the next one might be cyber.

Gladius, a blockchain-based cyber security platform operating out of the US, is preparing to offer this type of decentralized system. The aim is to pool unused bandwidth among participants, creating a decentralized CDN and DDoS mitigation system.

The company will use underutilized bandwidth to end DDoS attacks and accelerate websites. In other words, users will be able to rent out their bandwidth, get paid for it and help protect and accelerate websites.

Gladius uses the most important aspects of traditional DDoS protection software—bandwidth and data management–while providing superior protection and CDN services at more reasonable rates.

How does it work?

Gladius has created specialized distributed platforms that serve dual functions.

First, protection is offered from DDoS attacks by functioning as a marketplace that provides the creation of programs suited to individual needs. Then, Gladius allows users to monetize their unused bandwidth to create massive bandwidth pools that are more than capable of handling the flood of requests and traffic that mark a DDoS hack.

In contrast to traditional platforms, Gladius provides direct contact with end users and internal developers meaning that those wanting protection can have customized security developed and managed within the platform.

Furthermore, since Gladius’ desktop app lets participants rent their unused bandwidth, rewarding them with Gladius tokens, users can pay these tokens for protection–or can instead begin to develop their own personal bandwidth pool. Blockchain technology means that every transaction within the ecosystem is a public record. Consumers can know immediately whether their purchase is fair.

Finally, Gladius allows users to see their web traffic real time. The source, volume, and speed of all data is displayed and can be analyzed. In this way, content can be easily controlled.

The flipside: pooling bandwidth for effective CDNs

The substantial number of consumers monetizing unused bandwidth within the platform allows the company to create CDN services through the network. Without the centralized hub, costs are far more aggressive and affordable.

Further, decentralization means objective pricing and simple interaction between buyer and seller in both service platforms. In traditional DDoS and CDN services, centralized corporations charge huge fees to keep their services maintained and functioning. These companies must maintain processors, storage, and bandwidth, and so they pass those high costs on to consumers along with profit margins rolled in. And even with these costs, results are spotty at best.

With a decentralized platform, though, costs can be distributed and services tailor made for each customer. Complete accountability creates a genuinely fair, free market platform for CDN services. Gladius’ sale launches officially on November 1st (presale is happening now) and will continue up to a month, depending on the first round results. The platform beta is scheduled to release Q1 2018, and the full release is scheduled for Q3 2018.

Featured image from Pexels

The views expressed here by the columnist are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Crypto Insider