Cylance
Cylance is a cybersecurity company that specializes in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to predict and prevent threats. Founded in 2012 by Stuart McClure and Ryan Permeh, the company emerged with the aim of providing proactive security solutions, differing from the traditional reactive approaches. Its flagship product, CylancePROTECT, employs machine learning techniques to analyze and block malware and advanced threats before they can cause harm to a computer system or network. Cylance gained attention for its innovative use of AI in cybersecurity, offering solutions that could identify and stop new malware without relying on existing signatures. This approach allows for more dynamic and effective prevention of zero-day threats and advanced persistent threats (APTs) that conventional tools might not detect. In February 2019, Cylance was acquired by BlackBerry Limited in a deal valued at $1.4 billion, marking a significant expansion of BlackBerry's cybersecurity capabilities and integrating Cylance's technology into its software and services portfolio. This acquisition highlights the growing importance of AI-driven security technologies in the cybersecurity industry and BlackBerry's commitment to securing the Internet of Things (IoT).