Business

Exposing a Gap in the Blockchain Economy – Even Security Guards Need Security

Published

3 years ago

October 24, 2021

Blockchain has made a name for itself by bringing a near fool-proof level of verification to the age of the internet. This is due to the unique way blockchain stores data: Essentially, each new block of data connects to all the blocks before it in a cryptographic chain in such a way that it’s essentially impossible to tamper with. All transactions within the blocks are validated and agreed upon by a consensus mechanism amongst the entire network, ensuring that each transaction is verified and correct.

All of this is true and has stood the test of time thus far. Blockchain has created an impenetrable fortress around the trading of digital currencies and assets, and because of this, trillions of dollars have been traded in this emerging economy. That being said, security is only as valuable as its weakest link. You can fortify your house all you want, when someone has the key to your front door, they’ll walk right in.

In the first six months of 2021 there was a reported 700% increase in SMS phishing compared to the year before. According to a recent Coinbase Security Team article, financial fraud using smishing, a form of phishing that uses mobile phones as the attack platform, is now one of the most used cyber-attacks against cryptocurrency traders. The decentralized nature of blockchain transactions is both its greatest strength and biggest threat in this way. Since there is no governing entity who can reverse a crypto transaction once it has been recorded on chain, malicious actors see this as a prime target for all kinds of phishing attempts to get access to your private key or trading account. With the rapid global adoption of crypto and NFTs we will certainly continue to see an uptick in phone number spoofing and fake 2FA messages.

With this in mind there is a pertinent need for a security solution that will detect and stop phishing threats before they have the chance to succeed. Thankfully Total Network Services (TNS), Rypplzz and Forward Edge-AI have partnered to bring Gabriel® Crypto to the international marketplace. Gabriel Crypto is a revolutionary smartphone security solution that combines Swarm Intelligence, Machine Learning, AI, Natural Language Processing, Tokenized Mobile Equipment Identifiers (E-MEIDs) with patented geospatial intelligence, an Encrypted Blockchain Database, and $DigitalNames into an easy-to-use smartphone defense system.

Originally developed under a National Science Foundation (NSF), Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant, Gabriel was developed to protect consumers against vishing (phishing attacks that involve the use of voice calls) and smishing attacks by Crowdsourcing intelligence, to quickly identify and block dangerous voice calls and text messages. Forward Edge-AI recently partnered with TNS who brings to Gabriel Crypto two of their solutions, $DigitalNames and E-MEID. $DigitalNames provides an alias for public keys to deliver triple factor authentication for every wallet transaction to ensure user information is protected. The E-MEID, powered with patented technology from Rypplzz, records the wireless device’s MEID on a blockchain to create a cryptographically protected immutable record of device software and user licensing.

E-MEID also alerts users of any relevant National Vulnerability Database (NVD) entry. NVD data enables automation of vulnerability management, security measurement, and compliance. Finally, the E-MEID solution provides advanced geolocation data and supply chain management capabilities, via Rypplzz’s Interlife® platform, which can dramatically improve security measures and provide near-real-time operational options based on the location of the associated asset.

Forward Edge-AI was recently approved by an independent third-party risk management and due diligence assessment created by TruSight Solution. TruSight is the best practices third-party assessment service created by leading industry participants for the collective benefit of all financial institutions, their suppliers, partners, and other third parties. Its founders include Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, American Express and BNY Mellon.

Eric Adolphe, Forward Edge-AI’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “I am pleased to announce that Total Network Services has joined the Gabriel Zero-Day Scam detection ecosystem.” Through its integration with TNS, Gabriel is able to offer an enhanced solution to detect, block, and report smishing attacks in 25 languages. With Purple Alerts™, app users are notified in real-time when it is intelligently detected they are engaging with a scammer by voice or through text messaging. Through the integration with TNS, Gabriel Crypto app users can earn cryptocurrency by participating in a gamified experience that helps to deepen Gabriel security by crowdsourcing intelligence.

Kevin L. Jackson, TNS Senior Vice President sees this as a new and revolutionary cybersecurity step forward. “Gabriel Crypto applies artificial intelligence, machine learning, and crowdsourced intelligence to the protection of cryptocurrency and crypto securities communications and transactions. This cyber-defense advance is a critical need across the new decentralized finance environment.”

Josh Pendrick, Rypplzz’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “this is a first step towards not only securing the supply chain assets that hold our society together, but to dramatically reduce complexity and improve efficiency in global supply chain resource management.”

About ForwardEdge AI: ForwardEdge AI, Inc.’s mission is to leverage Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies to solve complex problems of social consequence. To learn more about ForwardEdge AI visit https://forwardedge-ai.com/

About Total Network Services, Corp:

Total Network Services, Corp (TNS) is a San Diego-based developer of simple, safe and secure blockchain-focused products and services designed to help the world transition into the blockchain economy. TNS’s innovations span across industry boundaries — from FinTech to Telecom security —all supported by its network infrastructure. TNS’s mission is to improve legacy solutions by infusing new levels of verification into the next internet evolution. To learn more about TNS visit https://tnscorp.io/

About Rypplzz, Inc.

Rypplzz has developed a patented spatial computing system, called Interlife, that is transforming the task of secure digital payload delivery and management. Its mission is to optimize efficiency for a sustainable and harmonious society. To learn more about Rypplzz visit https://rypplzz.com/

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

2 weeks ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.