Security firms team up to battle malware

A new industry-facing tech security group has been launched by sector body the IEEE.

The IEEE's Industry Connections Security Group (ICSG) wants to improve collaboration between tech firms and other interested organisations, and aims to encourage agreement and common practice on tackling security issues.

The IEEE said that its "brand" would encourage firms to join that otherwise may have resisted, and its already established research environment would help speed up development.

One working group is already looking into tackling malware while others are set to follow, according to the ICSG. "We need ideas on critical areas we should focus on Ideas so far include blacklisting of malicious & predominately malicious packers/obfuscators," it said in a statement.

Announcing the launch, Vincent Weafer of Symantec and Igor Muttik from McAfee added in a statement: "In the past few years, attackers have shifted away from mass distribution of a small number of threats to micro distribution of millions of distinct threats. ICSG was established, under the umbrella of the IEEE-SA Industry Connections program out of the desire by many in the security industry to pool their experience and resources in response to the systematic and rapid rise in new malware being introduced to the market."

Current members also include Microsoft, Sophos, AVG Technologies, and Trend Micro. Other companies are invited to join but individual memberships are not accepted. Once involved, members can take part in discussions on security protection while also contribute to the development of standards and best practices.