Forescout

Brief Overview

A global leader in automated cybersecurity for enterprises’ ecosystems of connected devices, Forescout highlighted the component risks associated with myriad devices relied upon by industry. The company’s security research team commenced a nearly two-year research project called “Project Memoria” – the largest security study of TCP/IP stacks – technology stacks used by various connected device manufacturers – and needed a communications plan to sustain global awareness.

Customer

Forescout empowers customers to achieve continuous alignment of security frameworks across multiple asset types, including IT, IoT, OT and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT).
The company’s technologies and platform provide asset visibility into connected devices, working closely with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and healthcare leaders.

Opportunity

Forescout wanted to bring global awareness to its security research, “Project Memoria”, in multiple phases, starting with a massive vulnerability disclosure before the Christmas holiday. The company sought to frame the research in a way that would resonate with senior business decision-makers and consumer audiences. Additionally, the security research team wanted to provide research insights that could provide tangible value to reporters and be looked upon for future rapid response opportunities.

Solution

W2 Communications devised a global strategic media relations campaign to educate cybersecurity, general technology and an array of vertical beat reporters with Project Memoria’s first report called ‘AMNESIA:33,’ which uncovered 33 new vulnerabilities impacting TCP/IP stacks.
The firm collaborated with Forescout’s communications team to curate groups of spokespeople from within the research team, third parties and academia to speak and help educate the media.
Following the first and subsequent reports, W2 Communications would work with Forescout to share vulnerability disclosure and patching updates, plus related data from the company’s device cloud.

Result

The first report generated coverage across global tier-1 media outlets, including the Associated Press, Axios, WIRED and others.
W2 Communications went on to support Forescout’s unveiling and amplification of seven additional research reports over the course of two years, disclosing nearly 100 vulnerabilities in total and securing additional features in The Financial Times, ZDNet, CNN, Dark Reading, SC Media and others.
Forescout’s research team cemented its status as a tier-1 team whose insights and discoveries are proactively sought after by reporters for ongoing stories that go well beyond the Project Memoria vulnerabilities disclosures.