Samart partners with IBM for AI-backed cybersecurity service

Samart yesterday officially debuted SECUREiNFO, its “total cybersecurity solution provider”, operating under its flagship ICT solutions provider Samart Telcoms.
The SECUREiNFO service portfolio offers managed security services, cybersecurity risk assessments and cybersecurity consulting, along with security education and training.
For the managed security service, the company’s cybersecurity operation centre has partnered with IBM Security, a business unit of IBM, on an exclusive basis to offer what they say is a world-class cybersecurity service on a 24-hour basis.
The centre is drawing on the IBM AI, namely “Watson”, and also IBM’s threat intelligence system, as key tools in the service. 
Samart’s president Watchai Vilailuck said yesterday that Samart aims the new unit to be in the top three cybersecurity solutions providers within five years.
The cost of the new company’s development is Bt200 million. Its launch is in line with the rising global threat from cyberattacks as the world, including Thailand, becomes increasingly digitalised.
Worldwide spending on cybersecurity systems last year reached above US$100 billion (Bt3.3 trillion). Such spending in Thailand this year is estimated at $240 million, with forecast yearly growth of 12 per cent.
State agencies will be the initial target of the company’s services, says Watchai. 
Yesterday Watchai invited potential customers from state and private sectors to visit the centre.
“We expect to secure between 10 to 20 customers next year,” he said, adding that SECUREiNFO hopes for revenues of between Bt50 million and Bt100 million in the next couple of years.
Chowalit Tinnagonsutibout, SECUREiNFO’s head of cybersecurity operations, said that instead of heavily investing their own money in cybersecurity facilities, organisations could save costs by outsourcing the task to his company.