Palantir Cybermesh - some info about it

Palantir Cybermesh - some info about it

by Susan Basko, esq.

see also: Palantir Foundry

If you woke up this morning hoping to learn more about an obscure data-sharing software suite sold by Palantir Technologies, Inc. (herein called Palantir), today is your lucky day.  Today's topic is Palantir Cybermesh -- a peer-to-peer data sharing tool that allegedly allows detection of and an intelligent, coordinated response to computer and network threats.

Cybermesh is marketed to businesses, governments, and non-governmental agencies.  What kind of computer threats might such groups face?  Banking malware.  Ransomware. Theft of data. Phishing of emails and the associated social engineering and theft of information.  Denial of service attacks.  And on and on, whatever is thought up by people as diverse as kids in their bedrooms all the way up to organized hacking agencies from other governments.  Such attacks work to shut down services, lock up important information, interfere with relationships, steer the course of activities and decisions.  

The idea behind Cybermesh seems to be that with peers sharing threat information, they might notice common situations faster and be able to identify a set of common events as being an existing threat.  Let's say the peers sharing information are hospitals.  One hospital might notice something that appears to possibly be someone trying to use ransomware.  If five hospitals notice a similar thing, they can see there is a pattern of attempted attacks.  Then they can all gather and decide how to respond as one, to protect all of them.  That's risk mitigation based on peer sharing.

First up, let's look at how Palantir describes Cybermesh:.  I added the colored highlights to the words I found interesting.

CYBERMESH

Goods and Services IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: computer security consultancy in the field of analysis of computers and networks to assess information security vulnerability and cyber threats; development of customized plans for improving computer security and preventing wrongful or risky activity for businesses, governmental and non-governmental agencies by designing, developing, and advising on the effective use of computer software solutions for detecting, analyzing, and mitigating computer and network security threats; consulting services in the field of design, selection, implementation and use of computer hardware and software systems for others; research in the field of cyber intelligence technology and cyber security technology; software-as-service (SaaS), namely, hosting software applications for others in the field of analysis of computers and networks to assess information security vulnerability and cyber threats; application service provider services (ASP), namely, hosting software applications for others in the field of analysis of computers and networks to assess information security vulnerability and cyber threats. FIRST USE: 20140700. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20140700

045. US 100 101. G & S: monitoring of computer systems for security purposes; monitoring of computer systems for security purposes for improving computer security and preventing wrongful or risky activity for businesses, governmental and non-governmental agencies. FIRST USE: 20140700. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20140700


WHAT THIS ALL SAYS is that Cybermesh is a set of computer security that is going to be marketed to governments, businesses, and non-governmental agencies.  Palantir says it sells software, consulting and plans for what hardware and software for the clients to buy.

Palantir also says it runs SaaS (software as a service) for such clients.  For those unfamiliar with the concept, SaaS is when a client or customer does not purchase software, but instead, logs in to a server to use such software, often with a virtual desktop on the site.  Among the possible advantages to SaaS is that it can be constantly updated and maintained by the host company, rather than relying on the customer to acquire and install updates.  A possible disadvantage is that a client only has access to SaaS as long as they keep paying the subscription fee.  However, this usually balances out because most purchased software quickly becomes obsolete, while SaaS is supposedly being kept fresh and improving all the time.  Today, everyday people use SaaS for everything from screenwriting to photo editing to sending party invitations; using SaaS for computer security seems to make sense.

Next, let's look at 17 pages of Cybermesh ads, explanations, and a marketing booklet.  If you would like to read it in full-size, go to the bottom right-hand corner of the booklet and click on the "full size" icon, which is 4 arrows pointing outward.  Analysis and Commentary follow after the booklet.

Cybermesh ads, brochures, etc. Fair Use for purposes of analysis and commentary, which is posted below the pdf.

Palantir Cybermesh Booklet by Sue Basko on Scribd

ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:  Palantir is a marketing genius, similar to other companies I have looked at that market software that is supposed to mitigate cyber threats or IRL threats.  I think they keep taking the same basic software and packaging it under different names for different high-ticket markets.  Palantir registers trademarks on a lot of its products.  The trademarks make the product seem important or unique, but a trademark is not a patent, and there is nothing to stop Palantir or any company from marketing a simple software as as if it were a complex system, or from marketing the same software over and over under different names.  The ads and brochures have sophisticated imagery and wording that appear iconic and scientific.  I suspect they're rebranding the same basic popsicle sticks as building supplies, firewood, educational tools, easy-to-carry small weapons, etc.  Whatever.  If this is what it takes for businesses and governments to catch 14 year-olds in their bedrooms who are hell-bent on raiding computers for fun, frolic, and financial gain, so be it.  Yes, yes, yes, we all know there are some sophisticated players in the cyber threat arena out to wreak havoc on the very institutions that make our lives comfortable and safe.  I am just poking fun.