Advanced Technologies

Shared Networking/Social Platforms are by far the most significant risk factor in exposing user data such as emails, highly personal characteristics, and other private and personal information at risk for misuse[85]. When such data is collected, it allows attackers to easily build victim profiles through social engineering[86] and targeting would-be victims with microscopic precision.

Social engineering attacks are often perpetrated in the form of phishing[87], malware[86], and ransomware attacks[86], preying on the victim's inability to determine what information is real and what puts them at significant risk.

"Iranian cyber actors also sent spearphishing emails to current and former senior officials and members of political campaigns as part of their influence operations, "almost certainly" with an intent to gain derogatory information and access for follow-on operations, the intelligence report said." – Unclassified 3/15/21 National Intelligence Council[87]

Generally, cyber risk is divided into three primary groups:

1. Users who do not have a basic understanding of what factors they are engaged in putting their information at risk[88,89].
2. Misuse and abuse by hackers, cybercriminals, and unfriendly nations seeking to steal, cause havoc, or otherwise misuse private data for personal gain or nefarious intent[90].
3. Platforms themselves that obfuscate user agreements, abuse data, or secretly collect data on users for their own personal use and gain[91,92,93].

Unlike existing platforms USForward will not collect or share user data unnecessarily, and with all information collected will do so with a user-first perspective in that they have ownership and control.

As the threat and sophistication of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have been growing exponentially[94], sophisticated attackers have been using this technology to develop attacks with laser precision leading to explosive growth in levels of cyber-intrusion[95, 96]. Most cyber based attacks start with simple malware and phishing with information gleaned from social platforms[97] and improper website hygiene such as open posting of key personnel emails.

To harden users against the social risk that occurs from both shared network/social platform misuse[98] as well as outside data scrapers[99], hackers[100], and unfriendly nation-state actors[101], it is critical that new systems be developed to deter, obfuscate, hide, and deny the use and inclusion of data that creates and leads to vulnerability. At USForward, we are development of a suite of algorithms based on AI, ML, advanced encryption, and other advanced technologies to create a hardened surface for a collaborative/social platform that resists abuse and misuse from both internal and external risk. Whether through intent, general ignorance on data hygiene, or one's own risk elevation, the end result of poor data management can be devastating[102].

AI is a double edge sword. AI is used in significant ways that have a positive transformational impact on our world daily[103]. The other side of the sword, however, is the one where those of nefarious intent such as impersonation[104], stealing intellectual properties[105], gaining access to top-secret data[106], placing hospital patients at grave risk[107] , causing inconsistencies in our financial markets[108], and attacking critical government services and infrastructure[109]. The level of depravity by cyber-criminals is limited only by their imagination and willingness of use.

The vast majority of power comes into the use of AI through its ability to sift through mountains of data and use such data to help develop calculations[110] necessary to form plans of action. From an AI perspective, it does not care if these plans are used for good or ill intent.

The innovative approach of developing a secure collaborative networking/social platform built on a suite of new algorithms using Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Advanced Encryption, Distributed Ledgers, and other advanced technologies, changes the paradigm of intent from a marketing motivation to one of a user-first methodology. This novel approach to cybersecurity and individual control adds layers of protection and value for all served sectors including individuals, businesses, schools, health care, utilities, and all levels of government.

“The most powerful AI tool today is machine learning (ML).” – DARPA[17]