Security ratings firm SecurityScorecard Inc. today announced the industry’s first security ratings developed exclusively for telecommunications, internet service providers and cloud providers.

Created in partnership with wireless providers to address industry feedback and requests for a tailored approach, the new ratings include new industry-specific scoring that accounts for industry-specific factors, such as open DNS resolvers.

The new scoring adds precision through network partitioning, catering to wireless providers with highly complex digital ecosystems due to networks being their products. Previously, such companies were evaluated on all assets they owned, such as IPs and domains – even where their customers controlled most of these assets. SecurityScorecard is taking a different approach and now excludes customer assets from digital assets scored.

SecurityScorecard has also deployed artificial intelligence for automatic detection and categorization of assets leased to third parties. The feature allows organizations to audit the digital footprint detected by SecurityScorecard and understand how various assets have an impact on their overall score.

In addition, organizations can supplement their security rating with internal data, with achievements such as certifications, penetration testing and cybersecurity training gaining positive scores. SecurityScorecard provides a secure repository for certifications such as SOC 2 and ISO 27001 in its Evidence Locker – once documentation is verified, organizations receive evidence-based score improvements.

The new changes have been welcomed by SecurityScorecard partners, including NTT Corp. Other companies consulted to create the new security ratings included T-Mobile US Inc.

“The company’s commitment and dedication to understanding the unique challenges faced by the telecom industry will greatly contribute to our cybersecurity strategy,” Shinichi Yokohama, chief information security officer at NTT, said in a statement. “This collaboration will empower us to strengthen our security posture and foster a sense of shared responsibility within the industry.”

SecurityScorecard was last in the news in September when it announced a new partnership with artificial intelligence-powered cyber insurance provider Measured Insurance LLC to deliver cyber insurance discounts for security ratings. The partnership between the two companies enables organizations to incorporate cyber insurance into their risk management strategy, even as insurance costs remain uncertain.

Image: SecurityScorecard