Whalebone, a global leader in DNS security, has been honored with the 2024 Cybersecurity Breakthrough Award for Web Filtering and Control Solution of the Year. This award underscores Whalebone’s innovative approach to DNS security, positioning its products as a must-have for organizations that are responsible for critical infrastructure.

“This award validates our commitment to protective DNS and our mission to secure not only everyday people, but also critical IT networks from evolving cyber threats,” said Robert Sefr, CTO and Co-Founder of Whalebone.

Addressing Critical Security Gaps with DNS Protection

DNS-related attacks, including phishing, DDoS, and malware deployment, are on the rise. The US National Security Agency Director for Cybersecurity has stated that secure DNS could reduce over 90% of malware attacks by mitigating command-and-control communication. Additionally, recent statements by CISA and Gartner advise organizations to address DNS protection gaps.

• Anne Neuberger, NSA Cybersecurity Director: “Using secure DNS would reduce the ability for 92% of malware attacks.”¹
• CISA: “Ensure PDNS is provided as a high availability service.”²
• Gartner: “Organizations should implement DNS security to protect users, devices, and other critical infrastructure.”³

Whalebone’s Leadership in DNS4EU

As the appointed leader of the European Union’s DNS4EU initiative, Whalebone leads an international consortium that comprises cybersecurity experts at Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs), academic institutions, and cybersecurity companies across 10 EU countries. 

The project provides a highly secure, reliable, and privacy-focused DNS service, enhancing digital sovereignty for EU citizens, government bodies, and enterprise networks. DNS4EU also aids compliance with GDPR and NIS2, shielding users from phishing, malware, and data exfiltration threats.

“DNS4EU is setting a new benchmark for DNS protection, ensuring that European citizens, institutions, and businesses responsible for critical services have access to a resilient and sovereign DNS infrastructure,” said George Buhai, Senior Government Liaison at Whalebone.

Whalebone’s leadership in the DNS4EU project and its Threat Intelligence Exchange have solidified its position as a trusted partner for European cybersecurity. As the appointed leader of DNS4EU, Whalebone is setting new standards for DNS security, ensuring the protection of millions of users.

Proven Success in the Field

Whalebone’s collaboration with regional cybersecurity partners and hundreds of CSPs (communication service providers such as ISPs and telecom operators) ensures localized threat intelligence that greatly enhances global protection. This collaboration has firmly established Whalebone’s leadership in both the European and global cybersecurity arenas.

Whalebone's DNS filtering leverages real-time threat intelligence to identify and mitigate threats as they emerge, offering a more dynamic defense compared to static antivirus databases. Additionally, its support for encrypted DNS protocols like DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT) ensures secure communication and protection against tampering and eavesdropping​. By integrating seamlessly with existing ISP infrastructure and providing features such as off-net protection and parental controls, Whalebone not only enhances security but also adds value for both providers and end-users​. These capabilities position Whalebone as a superior solution in modern web security management.

Product offerings include the flagship Whalebone Aura (for Telcos), Whalebone Peacemaker (for regional ISPs), Whalebone Immunity and DNS4GOV (for enterprise and public institutions).

Extensive experience in large-scale cybersecurity projects and collaborations with global telecommunications companies have given Whalebone great expertise in the cybersecurity arena. 

Whalebone Immunity, designed for government and enterprise use, has earned praise from top-tier customers. Pelle Jensen, Security Analyst at TDC Denmark, remarked, “We are thrilled with the performance of Whalebone Threat Intelligence.” Lubomir Gavenda, IT Specialist at Panasonic Slovakia, said, “Whalebone Immunity blocked malicious websites faster than traditional firewalls.”

For more information on how Whalebone can help to address critical security gaps in your organization, visit: www.whalebone.io

References

¹ https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2020/06/nsa-piloting-secure-domain-name-system-service-defense-contractors/166250/

² https://media.defense.gov/2021/Mar/03/2002593055/-1/-1/0/CSI_Selecting-Protective-DNS_UOO11765221.PDF

³ https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4002327