lithiumjr
7年前
Hilltop Cybersecurity to Launch Early Warning System for a New Form of Cyber Attack
https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/hilltop-cybersecurity-to-launch-early-warning-system-for-a-new-form-of-cyber-attack-20180308-00613
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hilltop Cybersecurity Inc, ("Hilltop" or the "Company"). (CSE:CYBX) (OTC:BGGWF), is pleased to announce that it has begun pre-launch testing of its prototype Early Warning System for advanced cyber-threats. The Early Warning System is an enhancement to Hilltop's patented Vauban cybersecurity platform, which automates the management of cyber-attacks for business customers. The early warning technology is designed to counter a new form of cyber-threat, called a "fileless-attack", which is able to bypass existing network sensors.
Corby Marshall, CEO of Hilltop Cybersecurity, said, "Businesses are under threat from a new form of cyber assault, called a fileless-attack. This new cybercrime tool is particularly insidious because it does not use malware or malicious payloads to breach a company network, and therefore it is able bypass all the existing sensors that networks have it place. Most small and medium-sized businesses simply don't have the internal resources to defend against this new threat, which is why we have developed a new layer of automated protection that actively hunts these threats.
Marshall, added, "We see the recent transaction with Phantom Cybersecurity by Splunk (NASDAQ) for $350M USD(https://www.splunk.com) as additional validation that, even in volatile markets, investments in the right technologies are accelerating. The crypto-currency market continues to show volatility and instability, however, the demand for the cyber tools and infrastructure, which is our core focus at Hilltop, will only increase."
News Highlights
Hilltop Cybersecurity will be launching an Early Warning System to combat a new cyberthreat call "fileless attacks"
The Vauban Early Warning System continuously and automatically searches for indicators of attack
The new system will be fully integrated into Hilltop's patented, military-grade cybersecurity platform
Tom Gilmore, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), for Hilltop Cybersecurity, commented, "The Vauban Early Warning System gives businesses a pro-active, automated capability to identify attacks so they are not just waiting for signatures to be triggered in firewalls or intrusion detection systems. We are weaponizing the data our customers already have, allowing a business' cyberdefense system to locate, close with, and destroy attackers using fire and maneuver, in cyberspace."
The Vauban Early Warning System continuously searches for indicators of attack by looking for four types of events: Command and Control, Persistence, Privilege Escalation, and Lateral Movement. Events are collected from every endpoint in the enterprise including workstations, laptops, and servers; then analyzed to determine whether it is a threat, and if so, the level of threat the event poses to the organization. If the event is determined to be a legitimate threat, it is then processed through Vauban's patented incident response engine.
Hilltop will begin customer testing of the Early Warning System in April 2018 with a planned full commercial release in June 2018.
For further information, please contact:
Hilltop Cybersecurity
Rich Matthews
info@hilltopcybersecurity.com
778-484-8028
About Hilltop Cybersecurity
Hilltop Cybersecurity (CSE:CYBX) (OTC:BGGWF) is a cybersecurity and cryptocurrency security specialist. The Company has developed a unique, patented, cybersecurity platform, designed to protect businesses from external and internal cyber attack and has also patented its biometric security solution for crypto-currencies.
lithiumjr
7年前
2018-02-27 11:21 ET - News Release
Mr. Corby Marshall reports
HILLTOP CYBERSECURITY APPOINTS PAUL MATYSEK TO SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE BOARD
Hilltop Cybersecurity Inc. has appointed Paul Matysek as special adviser to the board of directors. Mr. Matysek is a proven company builder with over 30 years of experience in the public markets -- having founded, built and sold five companies in the past 10 years and created shareholder value in excess of $2.5-billion. He built Energy Metals Corp., which was sold to UraniumOne in 2007 for $1.8-billion; Potash One, which sold to K+S Ag for $434-million in 2011; Lithium One, which merged with Galaxy Resources for $112-million in 2012; and, most recently, sold Goldrock Mines Corp. to Fortuna Silver Mines for $178-million in July, 2016. Mr. Matysek is currently executive chairman of Lithium X Energy Corp., which was recently offered $2.61 per share in cash for the company.
Corby Marshall, chief executive officer of Hilltop Cybersecurity, said: "We are delighted that Mr. Matysek has agreed to join Hilltop as a special adviser. His overwhelming success as a company builder will prove of great value to the company as we continue to execute on our business strategy. The cybersecurity and cryptocurrency sectors are moving at an extremely rapid pace, and, with our patented cybersecurity technology, our team is excited by the potential ahead of us."
Mr. Matysek said: "With over 1,400 cryptocurrencies and consumer adoption growing at a tremendous rate, there has never been a greater need for enhanced security. With its patented biometric security for cryptocurrency transactions and cold storage and its ability to protect exchanges with its Vauban platform, Hilltop is at the forefront of this critical part of the cryptocurrency revolution."
The company also announces that Ross McElroy has resigned from the board of directors. The company thanks him for his service and support.
The company also announces that, on Feb. 26, 2018, it granted a total of 2.4 million incentive stock options to to certain of its directors, officers and consultants pursuant to the company's 10-per-cent incentive stock option plan. All of the options vest on the date of grant and are exercisable for a two-year period at a price of 70 cents per share.
About Hilltop Cybersecurity Inc.
Hilltop Cybersecurity is a cybersecurity and cryptocurrency security specialist. The company has developed a unique, patented cybersecurity platform, designed to protect businesses from external and internal cyberattacks, and has also patented its biometric security solution for cryptocurrencies.
© 2018 Canjex Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.
lithiumjr
7年前
Cryptocurrency Technology Will Require Major New Security Measures
http://usanewsgroup.com/2017/11/17/crypto-currency-technology-will-require-major-security-measures/
Cryptocurrency Is About to Change the Way We All Make and Spend Money
Bitcoin’s price surpassed $17,000 per coin for the first time ever this month, surging past another milestone that critics believed it could ever reach. This bullish trend generally extended through the other altcoin markets too, allowing the crypto market cap to reach all-time highs.
Cryptocurrencies are revolutionizing the economy and investors are looking for ways to profit as their values soar. We have surveyed the blockchain + cryptocurrency landscape and found a smart play on this explosive market.
Bitcoin and Ethereum are both skyrocketing as the market goes ballistic. This event signals the rise of the cryptocurrency that has been emerging for several years.
Bitcoin alone surpassed the $17,000 per coin mark bringing the total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies to nearly $500 billion. [1]
With this kind of growth, investors are asking, what are the strategic points to enter this impressive new market?
The rise of cryptocurrencies is also driving the value suppliers to and developers of the blockchain and cryptocurrency backbone – the infrastructure – with everything from computing power and chips to highly advanced security and alternate coin (“altcoin”) platforms.
Our research reveals a new company that has just joined in the market through acquisition of existing cyber security company – and it’s perfectly positioned to capitalize on companies across the entire space based on the need for cybersecurity in blockchain technology.
Big Wind Capital Inc. (TSX: BWC) (OTC: BGGWF) has joined Hill Top Security Inc.** to introduce major blockchain advancements in security and cryptocurrency. Together, the pair promises some powerful new offerings in the red hot cryptocurrency space.
We see Big Wind Capital as a ground floor provider to an industry that’s about to change the face of the payment and currency systems worldwide.
Whether you are invested in bitcoin, Ethereum or just stepping into the cryptocurrency market, this could become one of the best opportunities as the new crypto markets take flight.
** Hill Top recently signed a letter of intent with Big Wind, pursuant to which Big Wind intends to acquire various interests in HTSI and its assets. [2]
So Just How Do Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies work?
Even though the rise in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is getting mass attention, it’s hard for most investors to get excited about them without some basic understanding of the technology and its inner workings.
The concept is relatively simple, but it requires a little background.
Bitcoin is an alternate form of currency.
In order to understand Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, you first need to understand that it runs on what is known as blockchain technology.
Described simply, blockchain is like a seemingly endless Excel sheet where you can store vast amounts of data. However, unlike Excel, you cannot change or delete any of these records.
The blockchain is decentralized, which means that no single entity is in charge. If something needs to be added, you have to consult with different users, resulting in an open consensus for each and every transaction.
Lastly, everything that takes place in the blockchain is encrypted to make it secure.
So blockchain is not a Bitcoin-centric technology, but Bitcoin is completely reliant on blockchain technology.
You earn Bitcoins by mining – the process of solving computational puzzles – or now, by working for them or receiving them as a form of payment.
Bitcoin is just one of thousands of cryptocurrencies that are now emerging. Each has their own particular features.
You Can’t Buy into Bitcoin or Ethereum for pennies, but You Can Participate in Blockchain Providers for Pennies per Share. See Our Recommendation.
Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Technology Are Taking Off
Just a year ago Bitcoin was trading for just $770 a coin, meaning that its yearly gains are already over 2,000% in 2017.
To frame it simply, investors who bought in then and held until now have seen a payday of 20 times their original investment – in just under a year!
And with a market capitalization of $280 billion, Bitcoin is now on par with some of the world’s biggest companies. Indeed, some analysts are predicting that it could double, or even triple from this point.
The rest of the cryptocurrencies are also rocketing upward. [3]
As the blockchain and cryptocurrency space explodes, it will assuredly produce several profit areas for companies supporting the technology. That means significant returns for firms providing the core business of mining, transacting and securing cryptocurrencies.
We see Big Wind Capital as one of the early provider companies that is in a critical area with solutions that meet the specialized needs of the blockchain participants.
A Question of Security
Cryptocurrencies are based upon blockchain technology, so they are governed by encryption technology. That adds certain vulnerability to cryptocurrencies, and creates a significant opportunity in the new digital currency space for cyber security.
Computer hacking and theft continue to be impediments to widespread acceptance. These issues have continued to rise in tandem with the popularity of cryptocurrencies.
In July 2017, one of the five largest Bitcoin and Ethereum exchanges was hacked, resulting in the theft of user information, as well as hundreds of millions of Korean Won.
Corby Marshall, chief executive officer of Hill Top Security, the Big Wind Capital lead explains, “The potential of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is vast, however, it is becoming constrained by cybercrime, as well as missing passwords, which can render coins irretrievable.”
“In fact, as many as 3.79 million Bitcoins are estimated as lost forever — that’s nearly 23 per cent of all Bitcoins in circulation, which is close to $30-billion [U.S.] at current market value,” Marshall says. [4]
This is the blockchain segment that Big Wind Capital with Hill Top Security are addressing by offering patented new military grade solutions supported by world class management.
Big Wind Capital Joins Hill Top Security Inc. to Create a Major Force
Big Wind Capital Inc. is an emerging company capitalizing on the opportunity to enter the blockchain and cryptocurrency sector.
In a co-venture with Hill Top Security Inc., Big Wind has struck sales and product development partnership agreements with GuardSight, a specialist in Managed Security Services and Tactical Cyber Security Operations.
GuardSight has a customer base of Fortune 1000 companies and will act as a distributor and services partner for the new military-grade cyber security platform.
The result will be a patented, military-grade, cybersecurity platform supported by a high-profile team of former US military security experts. It will also provide an advanced-stage, cryptocurrency product.
As the high-profile hacks of bitcoin exchanges have shown, security is a major concern for the financial community. There is also an urgent need to develop international standards.
As experts in the field of security, and in the run-up to the launch of their own cryptocurrency offering, Big Wind Inc., together with Hill Top, will be working with one of the foremost standards-focused organizations in the industry.
The team will collaborate with the FIX Trading Community to develop standards for cryptocurrency, particularly related to security.
FIX is an independent, industry-driven standards body at the heart of global trading. The organization is comprised of the world’s leading financial institutions and is focused on addressing business and regulatory issues impacting multi-asset trading in global markets.
Big Wind and Hill Top will be forwarding one of the world’s first and only solutions compliant with FIPS-FIAR –a rigorous financial transaction and compliance standard required by the Department of Defense.
The company has just put together its collaborative platform and has not yet launched its cryptocurrency.
Major New Patents Filed
Missing passwords and theft have become some of the biggest issues plaguing the cryptocurrency industry, with more than 35 major reported hacks of bitcoin exchanges alone since 2011, leading to the theft of over 980,000 bitcoins.
It is believed that as much as 23 per cent of Bitcoins mined to date are estimated lost forever (approximately $30-billion at current market value).
Big Wind Capital through Hill Top Security has filed a patent for a biometric security application designed to protect bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies from theft and loss.
This biometric cryptocurrency application helps solve this issue by adding a new, high level of personalized security for cryptocurrency users worldwide.
The patent filing covers UxToken: biometric-enabled, GPS trackable cryptocurrency private key safe storage.
The new application was developed by Hill Top’s in-house team made up of former U.S. military officers and personnel.
Adding World Renowned Talent to Cyber Security
For a company to succeed in the security side of the blockchain business requires high caliber management. Blockchain security is complex and constantly advancing.
Big Wind Capital and Hill Top Security are right on track there. In a tactful move, the two have announced the appointment of famed hacker Pete Herzog to their team.
Pete Herzog is one of the world’s foremost thought-leaders in the field and a major force in the cybersecurity and blockchain industries. [5] He is attributed with numerous major breakthroughs including:
Co-founded non-profit security research organization – the Institute for Security and Open Methodologies (ISECOM).
Premiered “Intentification” – a process of determining intent as a means of identifying something as malicious before an attack can occur.
Created the first security testing methodology ever published, which is known as the Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual (OSSTMM) and provided it for free to the public.
Co-created the Open Source Cybersecurity Playbook to help small and medium-sized companies build better security with this well-designed, easy-to-understand how-to manual.
Pete Herzog has also authored and co-authored books, manuals and articles to help small and medium-sized businesses create better security.
The addition of Pete Herzog, along with the established Hill Top team of former US military security specialists puts Big Wind Capital on the leading edge of cyber security.
FEATURE STOCK: FOR COMPARISON
Big Wind Capital Inc.
Market Cap: $32.9 Million
Big Wind Capital Inc. is an emerging company advancing a cyber security platform for small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMB), comprising blockchain event validation, cyber tagging, incident response and rapid restoration. In a co-venture with Hill Top Security Inc., Big Wind has struck sales and product development partnership agreements with GuardSight, a specialist in Managed Security Services and Tactical Cyber Security Operations.
Recent News: Hill Top Security Partners With GuardSight; Enhances Military-grade, Cyber Security Offering
Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Winners: Too Late for Early Gains, But Great to Study
We compare some of the major companies that are responsible for developing and deploying the infrastructure and underlying support of blockchain and crypto technology. These are large, established companies that are well funded. For advocates of bitcoin and the other cryptocurrencies surging in value, the gold may be in the shares of these companies that produce the computer processors and chips used to create the digital currencies in the process that’s become known as mining, along with the providers of support to blockchain technology. These could also be partners to or users of Hill Top Security’s technology, or even Big Wind Capital as a meaningful target for acquisition.
NVDIA Corporation
NASDAQ: NVDA
Market Cap: $133.72 Billion
NVIDIA Corporation operates as a visual computing company worldwide. It operates in two segments, GPU and Tegra Processor. The company’s products are used in gaming, professional visualization, datacenter, and automotive markets.
Recent News: Nvidia and construction giant Komatsu partner on AI for job site safety
Advance Micro Devices
NASDAQ: AMD
Market Cap: $9.76 Billion
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. operates as a semiconductor company worldwide. Its primarily offers x86 microprocessors as an accelerated processing unit (APU), chipsets, discrete graphics processing units (GPUs), and professional graphics; and server and embedded processors, and semi-custom System-on-Chip (SoC) products and technology for game consoles.
Recent News: AMD Wins Another Cloud Provider With Baidu ABC Services
Microsoft Corporation
NASDAQ: MSFT
Market Cap: $654.54 Billion
MSFT, the 40-year-old enterprise software company, is a big booster of open source and it may be the best and most low-risk bitcoin entry point. Microsoft is building Blockchain as a Service on its Azure cloud, the biggest rival to Amazon in hosting cloud applications. MSFT also has a framework for enterprise blockchain networks, dubbed Coco.
Recent News: Microsoft unveils new Bing search features Google doesn’t have
Micron Technology
NASDAQ: MU
Market Cap: $49 Billion
Micron Technology, Inc. provides semiconductor systems worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Compute and Networking Business Unit, Storage Business Unit, Mobile Business Unit, and Embedded Business Unit. The company was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Boise, Idaho.
Recent News: Micron’s DRAM, NAND Trends Look Good in 2018, Says MKM
Our Recommendation: We Give BWC Our Top BUY Rating
Our research reveals that Big Wind Capital (TSX: BWC) (OTC: BGGWF), is providing a side door for entry into the supercharged blockchain and crypto space by providing new security technology perfect for these markets.
We believe that Big Wind Capital is poised to ride the crypto wave. Its interest in Hill Top Security brings:
Military-grade cybersecurity platform, originally developed for government and big business, now being made available to the SMB sector
One of the world’s first and only solutions compliant with FIPS-FIAR – a rigorous financial transaction and compliance standard required by the Department of Defense
New product development incorporates blockchain technology to provide enhanced security for industry-specific cryptocurrency applications
The platform has been developed by a team of security experts with substantial military and commercial experience, including the US Army, Marine Corps and Wall Street
The company currently holds a Top-Secret clearance based on the work it currently carries out for the government
Patent application of a new biometric cryptocurrency security app, which will provide biometric protection of cryptocurrencies, in particular with off-line storage and the recovery of lost passwords
Big Wind Capital with Hill Top Security is introducing a new array of cyber security offerings geared for blockchain technology. The team has already filed patents for the new military grade security platform.
Timing is an important element in this scenario.
The early adopters and investors always make the biggest gains, and by the time a story goes mainstream, such as Bitcoin and the rise of cryptocurrency, it’s usually too big to keep expanding at the rate it did in the early stages.
In other words, for really big gains, the real gold may lay within the providers to the blockchain infrastructure and those that facilitate its growth.
Big Wind Capital and Hill Top Security have certainly positioned themselves in a smart segment: cyber security for blockchain.
Based on the current run up in the bitcoin and cryptocurrency prices, it appears that the needs for security improvements and international market standards may be even greater than anticipated. They may also be needed much sooner than anyone had ever imagined.
It is certainly timely to consider Big Wind Capital now, in light of the market’s hunger for blockchain and cryptocurrency. This could be a case of a small company making a fortune along the way by selling picks and shovels to the new gold rush.
moniker
7年前
The main focus will be the MineCoin trading platform...
....In the Open Mineral story,it points out precious metals trading between mines and end-users is a $50 billion market.
Once the LOI goes through,the PRs will come out fast and furious.
This platform,which will save the miners 30-40% in middleman and currency exchange costs,will be in direct competition with Open Mineral,which has just begun,and the LME,which was sold to Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing for $2.2 billion in 2012,CME group,Dubai and a few others,and now,Martin Abbott,former CEO of LME.
When LME went up for sale,there were a dozen suitors,and eventually was sold for $2.2 billion.
LME still goes by the open call trading floor system and does 90% of global business outside China.
In 2011,LME did $15.4 trillion of business.
Now,for this business to work,a company would have to deliver these goods physically to the end-user.
The question becomes....who will BWC partner up with?When this gets answered in PR,the stock will make its move to $5.00 and up.
Ask yourself how much a business model that deals in a $15-20 trillion/year business and removes 30-40% of the costs of trading between the miners and end-users be worth to billion competitors who will be directly affected by them being around?
BWC will eventually get bought out for $200-300 million is my guess by whatever partner they fall in with.Imo,that partner is already in place.
Just have to follow Dev Randhawa's MO,and that is that he sells everything in the end when the profit potential is highest.
This is why they will need only 49% of Hill Top when the LOI is in place.Hill Top builds the model,RandHawa puts it in place with the partner,then sells it,and Hill Top moves on.
MineCoin is the cash cow.$5-8 is my guess and possibly higher.I won't be surprised to hear both BWC and the partner get taken out by CME in the end.
Read more at http://www.stockhouse.com/companies/bullboard/v.bwc/?postid=27055632#3yPS07Cq6pQemdOB.99
lithiumjr
7年前
Game on !!
Big Wind Closes 2nd Tranche of Financing; Advances USD$600,000 to Hill Top Security
https://www.stockwatch.com/News/Item.aspx?bid=Z-C%3aBWC-2536494&symbol=BWC®ion=C
KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Nov. 24, 2017) -Big Wind Capital Inc., ("Big Wind" or the "Company") (CSE:BWC)(CSE:BWC.CN)(CNSX:BWC)(OTC PINK:BGGWF) and Hill Top Security Inc ("Hill Top") are pleased to announce that, further to the terms of the previously announced letter of intent agreement, through which Big Wind will acquire various interests in Hill Top and its assets (the "Transaction"), Big Wind has closed the 2nd tranche of its non-brokered private placement of $0.15 common shares and advanced a total of USD$600,000 to Hill Top.
Dev Randhawa, CEO of Big Wind, commented, "In the recent months,Hill Top has continued to enhance its patented, military-grade, cybersecurity platform, as well as its exciting cryptocurrency product, and this USD$600,000 payment is an important step towards completing the existing binding LOI of July 4, 2017. With cybercrime now prolific across the world, cybersecurity has never been more important and with Hill Top's unique products, and highly-skilled team, we are well positioned to grow shareholder wealth in the rapidly-growing sector."
Hill Top Security Highlights and Recent News
Unique cybersecurity platform: Hill Top has a patented, military-grade cybersecurity platform - originally developed for and currently used by the US government and big business - now being made available to the small and medium sized business (SMB) sector.
Strategic Partnership: Hill Top recently partnered with GuardSight - a cybersecurity specialist with a strong customer base of Fortune 1000 companies, Cryptocurrency product development:
Hill Top is at an advanced stage of development in developing its first crypto currency product for the mining and metals industry. The product, called MineCoin, will enable Hill Top to expand its current protection of company networks and communications to include the protection of company transactions.
Team with military background: The platform has been developed by a team of security experts with substantial military and commercial experience, including the US Army, Marine Corps and Wall Street.
The Company has closed the second tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement of common shares of Big Wind, pursuant to which, Big Wind issued an additional 3,290,247 common shares for gross proceeds of CAD$493,357. These common shares have a hold period that expires 8 months and a day after the date of distribution.
Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of other conditions, including but not limited to acceptance by the Canadian Securities Exchange and entering into a definitive agreement. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Further details regarding the proposed Transaction will be provided in a news release, if and when the parties enter into a definitive agreement.
Both parties are completing the definitive agreement and intend to finalize and enter into the definitive agreement once all financial statements, MD&A, and pro forma have been completed.
lithiumjr
7年前
The Hidden Threat: Cyber Crime Costs to Hit $6 Trillion Yearly
http://www.baystreet.ca/articles/stockstowatch/33833/The-Hidden-Threat-Cyber-Crime-Costs-to-Hit-6-Trillion-Yearly
Cybercrime attacks are expected to cost us $6 trillion a year by 2021. In a single year, cyber terrorism could cost us three times more than the entire U.S. housing and real estate industry is currently worth.
The Chairman of IBM calls it the “greatest threat to every profession, every industry, every company in the world”. Cisco cites a report saying it will be more profitable than the global trade of all major illegal drugs combined. ATT calls it the greatest transfer of economic wealth in history.
The response? A desperate scramble to ramp up spending to protect their businesses, and another massive opportunity for investors.
With an estimated 4,000 cyber-attacks a day —and counting—the solution has to be serious. It has to be military-grade. And one little-known company has emerged with a unique military-grade cyber defense solution that even small- and medium-sized business can afford.
Hill Top Security Inc. is one of the world’s first cyber security companies that has met the U.S. Department of Defense’s rigorous FIPS-FIAR standard for financial transactions. Hill Top is currently in the process of being acquired by Big Wind Capital Inc. (CSE: BWC; OTC:BGGWF).
And if they can reach a mass market with affordable solutions, they’ll be on track to become a market leader.
Right now, this is only on the radar of elite cyberdefense circles.
Soon, it will be on everyone’s. Not least because it is soon to be acquired by Big Wind Capital and it just partnered with Guardsight, a specialist in Managed Security Services and Tactical Cyber Security Operations for Fortune 1000 companies.
Here are 5 reasons to watch Hill Top/Big Wind Capital (CSE: BWC; OTC:BGGWF) closely, at the climax of a security threat that is more materially damaging than any other form of terrorism the world has ever seen:
#1 Welcome to World War III
World War III has already been declared, and it’s going down in cyber space.
Cyber criminals are now running organized cartels on the dark web to launch highly sophisticated and coordinated attacks.
The WannaCry cyber-attack is now infamous. The virus managed to take over 300,000 personal computers and demand $90 million in ransom. But that could have been just a test run, and $90 million is just a drop in the bucket.
Most recently, the U.S. was shaken by the Equifax hack. The personal data of more than 145 million Americans was stolen from Equifax credit-reporting agency. Now almost half of the country’s population is at risk of identity theft, bank account theft and credit destruction.
It is the Equifax attack more than anything that brings the cybercrime picture into full view. Anyone who thought it was a futuristic threat will now think again. It’s already hit half the country, and it’s likely not over yet.
And that was one of only three major breaches in the past two months. Hackers even breached the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in late September, with stolen data likely used for illegal stock trading. Just days later, Deloitte disclosed a cyber-attack on its systems that breached its blue-chip clients’ non-public information.
- The average cost of each breach of data was $4 million in 2016, according to a global study by the Ponemon Institute. But in the U.S., as indicated in that study, the average cost has soared beyond that to $7 million.
- Right now, theft of trade secrets is costing nations between 1 percent and 3 percent of their entire GDP, or anywhere from $749 billion to $2.2 trillion every year, according to an IDG survey.
- There are roughly 4,000 cyber-attacks every day—and counting.
- In just four years, we’ll be looking at a global cost of $6 trillion every year in cybercrime damages. Just a year ago it was $3 trillion.
- 60 percent of small businesses close down within 6 months of a cyber-attack.
The bottom line? For criminals, this blows the illegal drug trade away. For investors in the crime-fighting side of things, it’s a $200-billion-plus opportunity over the next few years and Hill Top/Big Wind Capital (CSE: BWC; OTC:BGGWF) is primly positioned to be an important player in the sector.
#2 Cyber Security Spending Soaring
The problem is epic, and it calls for an epic solution—and epic spending.
Cyber security spending is set to go over $1 trillion per year by 2021. Information security is only one tiny sub-set of the cyber security beast, and spending in this microcosm is expected to reach over $86 billion this year. Next year, spending in this tiny sub-sector is expected to hit $93 billion.
Basically, our digital networks can be breached in many ways. Each new tech trend, Forbes notes, creates new weaknesses, from cloud computing and big data to the Internet of Things (IoT) and beyond. The more we spend on new technology, the more we spend on cyber security, so this is only going in one direction— and fast.
And we’re not keeping up with the criminals. It’s prohibitively expensive, but cyber-attacks are even more expensive, especially for small- and medium-sized businesses.
JP Morgan spent upward of $500 million in 2016 on cyber security, according to Forbes. Only the biggest of the big can afford this, and even they are not thwarting attacks fast enough.
The government is spending, too. Major data breaches at the Office of Personnel Management and the IRS prompted Trump in May to sign an executive order for all federal agencies to review and update their old security systems.
#3 First Affordable Military-Grade Solution
Businesses across every industry, everywhere in the world, are under assault, and smart investors are finding profits in the companies that show the toughest line of defense.
Hill Top Security/ Big Wind Capital (CSE: BWC; OTC:BGGWF) offers a unique, proven platform—and it is one of the first in the world to give small and medium businesses the ability to protect themselves and their clients in the cyber space using military-grade solutions.
And this is military-grade cyber security. In fact, the same people behind Hill Top were hired by the U.S. intelligence community to build the auditing platform to keep track and detect financial anomalies.
There’s nothing like it in the world, and now it’s being opened up to SMBs, giving them access to a unique platform that can get them back in business and fully operational and fully secured after a severe cyber-attack.
But it’s not just a reaction to cyber-attacks, it’s also preventative. Hill Top’s artificial intelligence (AI) predicts threats for you, and alerts you to any suspicious activity. And their platform is secure enough to have gained the trust of the U.S. Defense Department.
Hill Top’s Vauban DNA system was originally developed as a global logistics solution for massive parallel events (think UPS). But then it added an intelligence-gathering element with military-grade security for the U.S. government. Now it’s also the new breed of financial security, with cryptocurrency tech incorporated to support market trading and transactions.
It’s also made Hill Top a takeover target, catching the eye of Big Wind Capital (CSE: BWC; OTC:BGGWF).In July, Big Wind announced it would acquire Hill Top, and just last week this deal was concluded for this premier military-grade cyber security company.
This is the company that’s planning on taking real cyber security mainstream.
And the competition is lacking.
#4 Cyber Security for Trillion-Dollar Cryptocurrency
Hill Top/Big Wind Capital (CSE: BWC; OTC:BGGWF) is also becoming a player force in one of the hottest industries on the planet right now—cryptocurrency, because it is uniquely positioned to secure and track crypto coins.
With Bitcoin hitting $6,000 per coin on 21 October, and breaking new records as its adoption surges, cryptocurrency is no longer just a game for individual miners with fast computers. It’s now about industrial-scale mining and billionaire backing. It’s also about industrial-scale security.
Hackers necessarily love cryptocurrency. The top Ethereum exchange was hacked in July, and since 2011, there have been dozens of crypto coin heists. In just two recent cases, hackers stole $32.6 million and $40 million, respectively.
With governments also looking at cryptocurrency and ways to regulate the trade, security is beyond paramount, and Hill Top already has a proven background in auditing, tracking and managing cryptocurrencies without compromising owner anonymity.
Now it’s also taking the crypto world to the massive mining industry.
Hill Top’s MineCoin system is a new advanced-stage development. It’s an industry-specific cryptocurrency application developed with Blockchain technology and is designed to give mining industry traders a highly secure cryptocurrency platform where they can buy, sell and exchange precious metals across international borders. With MineCoin, users will be able to exchange their own currency for cryptocurrency and purchase or sell precious metals on the open market.
#5 Defense Sector’s Top Cyber Minds
Behind Hill Top, and now Big Wind (CSE: BWC; OTC:BGGWF), we’ve got some of the defense industry’s top cyber security minds with military and commercial experience in everything from the U.S. Army and Marine Corps to Wall Street and Silicon Valley.
These are mission-critical figures, and they’ve already proven they can deliver.
- Dave DiEugenio, on the Hill Top advisory board, is a Marine Corps Recruiting CIO and VP and Director of Imperatis Corp. cyber solutions group.
- Tom Gilmore, Hill Top’s COO, is a veteran information systems security officer, engineer and ethical hacker. He’s also a former U.S. Marine whose worked with the FBI, the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Army and the U.S. National Guard.
- Hill Top CEO, Corby Marshall, is an entrepreneurial executive, West Point grad and former U.S. Army officer with extensive experience in distributed computing analytics and software development. He’s got a proven track record for delivering large-scale, mission critical applications. His genius has been tapped by the U.S. Army, Informatica and Headcase, among others.
- Hill Top CTO, Neil Wright, is yet another West Point grade and former U.S. Army officer, with NYSE experience, Treasury experience and an impressive track record with UPS Lead Architect and Rare Medium.
- Kim Pease, in charge of Hill Top’s SVP Product Management, is a senior architect with mission-critical deliverable experience working for Informatica, ESPN and JP Morgan.
This is where Wall Street and the Defense industry come together best.
The timing is key. Right on the edge of a breakout after being acquired by Big Winds, Hill Top’s route to market is that of a potential multi-million-dollar white label. Why? Because it’s already in advanced negotiations with two major U.S. firms for multi-million-dollar contracts. And it’s already got existing government and commercial customers which company guidance estimates will bring in $2.3 million-plus in revenue in three years.
That’s three distinct cyber security services that could corner this market:
Now it’s targeting SMBs, which number over 27 million in, and has revenue from its first public sector clients is coming online, which is expected to eclipse revenues from government contracts at a fast pace.
When you’ve got a trillion-dollar problem and a unique solution is offered up by a Who’s Who in military cyber defense, confidence runs at an all-time high. But news flow on this one is expected to be fast-paced. This elite set-up is about to hit the mainstream radar, so for early-in investors, it’s ‘mission-critical’.
For more information you can visit: www.hilltopcybersecurity.com
Other companies to watch in the tech and cyber security space:
Celestica Inc. (TSX:CLS.TO) (NYSE:CLS) is a heavyweight in the tech manufacturing sector. As manufacturer of electrical devices used in IT, telecommunications, healthcare, defense and aerospace industries, Celestica is well represented throughout the world’s most fastest growing industries. Because of that, the company has seen strong growth YoY which we expect to continue as the sales expectations are almost 3% better than last year’s.
While many investors thought the stock was overvalued after a stellar run in 2016, the recent correction and volatility in the stock has attracted new buyers and the stock has recovered since.
While telecommunications stocks have been volatile recently, defense, IT and aerospace industries have outperformed and while many see limited upside, these industries continue to surprise both investors and analysts.
Mogo Finance Technology Inc. (TSX:MOGO): This is a new spin on unsecured credit, which is a burgeoning sub-segment of FinTech. Providing loan management, the ability to track spending, stress-free mortgages, and even credit score tracking, Mogo is at the forefront of an online movement to assist users with their financial needs.
Mogo’s software analyzes borrowers instantly and greatly reduces the traditionally cumbersome underwriting process for loans. It’s online only, so there’s very low overhead and a ton of cash to spend on marketing. Labeled as “the Uber of finance” by CNBC, Mogo is definitely turning heads.
With increasing membership growth and revenue lines continuing to improve, and a platform which many banks have failed to offer, Mogo could well become an acquisition target in the near future.
Power Financial Corp (TSX:PWF): Montreal-based Power Financial Corp has been in the finance industry since 1984. The company operates in three segments: Lifeco, IGM and Pargesa Holding SA (Pargesa). And, with its holdings in a diversified portfolio spanning the United States and Europe, Power Financial is a leader in its field.
Focusing its investments in the emerging FinTech industry, Power Financial stands to benefit by riding this wave into the future. The company’s forward-thinking attitude and liberal approach to technology is sure to leave investors satisfied.
We like PWF because it owns 60 percent of Wealthsimple, a leading robo-advisor for investing in ETF portfolios.
EXFO Inc (TSX:EXF): EXFO isn’t new to the Canadian tech sector. The company was founded in 1985 in Quebec City, and its original products were portable testing products for optical networks. Since then, the company has acquired and build 3G, LTE, protocol, copper/xDSL, IMS, and VoIP test and service assurance products.
Recent developments from EXFO are promising for long term growth potential. The new baseband unit emulation technology which is sure to be adopted on a large scale, as the tech offers operators a reduction of costs and a faster revenue stream.
EXFO Inc is a model in the telecommunications industry. With a market cap of $273-million, EXFO is strong, but still growing.
The Descartes Systems Group Inc. (TSX: DSG) (commonly referred to as Descartes) is a Canadian multinational technology company specializing in logistics software, supply chain management software, and cloud-based services for logistics businesses. The company is making waves in the tech industry with its futuristic products and visionary leadership.
As a key stock in Canada’s tech boom, Descartes Systems is a smart choice for investors. The company has a huge market cap of $2.6-billion and the stock has grown by nearly 20% YTD.