VirusTotal (VT), a prominent platform for analyzing suspicious files and URLs, has announced significant updates to its access and pricing structures. These changes are designed to enhance user accessibility and reinforce the platform’s commitment to collaborative cybersecurity efforts.
In a recent company announcement, VT detailed its initiative to simplify user options while maintaining its role as an open, collaborative platform dedicated to the global cybersecurity community. This move aligns with the broader evolution within Google’s security ecosystem, which now includes the unified Google Threat Intelligence (GTI) platform.
Founded on the principle that collective effort strengthens cyber defense, VirusTotal is refocusing on three primary objectives:
1. Preserving Platform Openness: Ensuring that VT remains an accessible resource for threat sharing and analysis.
2. Establishing a Sustainable Framework for Contributors: Providing a structured model that rewards contributors for their essential role in the platform’s ecosystem.
3. Enhancing Access for Academics and Researchers: Improving the availability of VT’s resources to support academic and research initiatives in cybersecurity.
The company emphasized that while Google Threat Intelligence—integrating the capabilities of VT, Mandiant, and Google—delivers advanced, curated intelligence for enterprises, VirusTotal will continue to serve as the community-driven foundation for threat sharing and analysis. This dual approach allows VT to cater to its core user base while integrating its extensive data into Google’s comprehensive enterprise offerings.
Introduction of New Access Tiers
A key aspect of this announcement is the introduction of simplified pricing and new access tiers designed to accommodate a diverse user base, ranging from individual researchers to large organizations. The new tiers include:
1. VT Community: A robust free tier tailored for individual researchers, academics, and educators. This tier offers file and URL scanning, public API access, and community features, ensuring that essential tools remain accessible to those dedicated to cybersecurity research and education.
2. VT Lite: Aimed at small teams, startups, and small Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) for non-commercial use. This tier provides advanced search capabilities, YARA hunting, and private scanning features, with pricing starting from $5,000 for low API volumes. VT Lite is designed to offer more advanced tools to smaller organizations without the financial burden typically associated with such resources.
3. VT Duet: Designed for large organizations requiring a comprehensive feature set with a high API quota. VT Duet caters to the needs of enterprises that demand extensive resources and capabilities for their cybersecurity operations.
Introduction of the VT Contributor Tier
A notable addition is the VT Contributor tier, a dedicated model for technology partners who integrate their detection engines with the platform. This tier acknowledges and rewards their crucial role by offering:
– Free Access to Feeds of Their Blind Spots: Contributors receive insights into areas where their detection engines may have limitations, enabling them to enhance their capabilities.
– Priority Support: Access to expedited assistance ensures that contributors can efficiently address any issues or inquiries.
– Early Access to New Features: Contributors are granted early access to upcoming features, allowing them to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.
This tier underscores VT’s commitment to fostering a collaborative environment where technology partners are integral to the platform’s success.
Reaffirmation of Contributor Commitment
In a move that reaffirms a long-standing commitment dating back to 2016, VirusTotal stated that security vendors who do not contribute detections are not included in these new tiers. This decision highlights the company’s focus on cultivating a healthy community where participation and contribution are highly valued.
By actively encouraging organizations to become contributors, VT aims to strengthen its mission of protecting the digital commons. This evolution ensures that VirusTotal continues to serve as a transparent, collaborative hub for global threat intelligence, reinforcing its foundational role in the cybersecurity landscape for years to come.
Conclusion
VirusTotal’s recent updates to its platform access and pricing structures represent a significant step toward enhancing accessibility and collaboration within the cybersecurity community. By introducing new access tiers and a dedicated contributor model, VT is not only simplifying user options but also reinforcing its commitment to collective cyber defense efforts. These changes are poised to benefit a diverse range of users, from individual researchers to large organizations, ensuring that VirusTotal remains a vital resource in the fight against cyber threats.
