Methods and systems for providing comprehensive cybersecurity protection using an open application programming interface based platform solution

Abstract

Methods of providing cyber-security services to a plurality of customers include providing a platform that includes a software program that is configured to run on a processor to implement a user interface that is accessible by customers. The software program includes an application programming interface that is configured to allow a platform operator and third party providers to offer computer implemented cyber-security services to the customers through the user interface. Integration standards for the application programming interface are provided to the third party providers, the integration standards specifying how the computer implemented cyber-security services can be integrated into the platform. First and second computer implemented cyber-security service that are provided by respective first and second of the third party providers are accepted into the platform, each of which is self-certified by the third party provider as being operable through the platform. The first and second computer implemented cyber-security services are then delivered to respective first and second of the customers through the platform.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A server device, comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory device, the memory device storing executable instructions, the executable instructions when executed by the processor facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:   providing a network-accessible platform offering cyber-security services to devices associated with a communication service provider, wherein the cyber-security services are self-certified by cyber-security providers as being compatible with the network-accessible platform;   receiving a selection, from a first device associated with the communication service provider, of a first cyber-security service of the cyber-security services, the first cyber-security service associated with a first cyber-security provider of the cyber-security providers, the selection of the first cyber-security service received via a user interface of the network-accessible platform; and   delivering the first cyber-security service to the first device responsive to the selection that is received.   
     
     
         21 . The server device of  claim 20 , wherein the processor comprises a plurality of processors operating in a distributed processing environment, and wherein the network-accessible platform is an open application programming interface. 
     
     
         22 . The server device of  claim 21 , wherein the open application programming interface enables the first cyber-security service to interact with the network-accessible platform to offer the first cyber-security service to the devices associated with the communications service provider via the user interface. 
     
     
         23 . The server device of  claim 20 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 receiving a second selection, from a second device of the devices associated with the communication service provider, of a second cyber-security service of the cyber-security services, the second cyber-security service associated with a second cyber-security provider of the cyber-security providers, the second selection of the second cyber-security service received via the user interface of the network-accessible platform; and   delivering the second cyber-security service to the second device.   
     
     
         24 . The server device of  claim 20 , wherein the network-accessible platform offers a non-cyber-security service associated with a non-cyber-security provider, wherein the non-cyber-security service is self-certified by the non-cyber-security provider as being compatible with the network-accessible platform. 
     
     
         25 . The server device of  claim 24 , wherein the operations further comprise delivering the non-cyber-security service to a second device of the devices via the network-accessible platform. 
     
     
         26 . The server device of  claim 20 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 passing an order for the first cyber-security service to the first cyber-security provider responsive to the selection that is received;   receiving data generated by the first cyber-security service at the network-accessible platform responsive to the order that is passed; and   transmitting the data generated by the first cyber-security service to the first device.   
     
     
         27 . The server device of  claim 20 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 receiving, from the first device via the network-accessible platform, information associated with commissioning the first cyber-security service; and   transmitting the information associated with the commissioning to the first cyber-security provider prior to delivering the first cyber-security service to the first device.   
     
     
         28 . The server device of  claim 20 , wherein the user interface of the network-accessible platform includes a web-based marketplace that identifies the cyber-security services that are available through the network-accessible platform. 
     
     
         29 . The server device of  claim 20 , wherein the user interface of the network-accessible platform includes a web-based customer interface that enables the first device to administrate the first cyber-security service via the network-accessible platform. 
     
     
         30 . The server device of  claim 20 , wherein the operations further comprise collecting cyber-security threat information at the network-accessible platform, wherein the cyber-security threat information is received from the communication service provider and the cyber-security providers. 
     
     
         31 . The server device of  claim 30 , wherein the operations further comprise storing the cyber-security threat information according to a format described by integration standards associated with an open application programming interface. 
     
     
         32 . The server device of  claim 20 , wherein the operation further comprise:
 electronically receiving, from the first device, log data associated with the first cyber-security service; and   forwarding the log data to the first cyber-security provider.   
     
     
         33 . The server device of  claim 20 , wherein a second cyber-security service of the cyber-security services is a cyber-security hardware vendor, and wherein the operations further comprise:
 receiving, via the user interface of the network-accessible platform, an order from a second device of the devices for an item of hardware offered by the cyber-security hardware vendor; and   transmitting pre-commissioning information associated with the item of hardware to the cyber-security hardware vendor.   
     
     
         34 . The server device of  claim 20 , wherein the first cyber-security service associated with the first cyber-security provider includes software that is stored in the memory device and executed by the processor. 
     
     
         35 . A method, comprising:
 presenting, by a system comprising a processor, a network-accessible platform offering cyber-security services to devices associated with a communication service provider, wherein the cyber-security services are self-certified by cyber-security providers as being compatible with the network-accessible platform;   receiving, by the system, a selection, from a first device associated with the communication service provider, of a first cyber-security service of the cyber-security services, the first cyber-security service associated with a first cyber-security provider of the cyber-security providers, the selection of the first cyber-security service received via a user interface of the network-accessible platform;   receiving, by the system and from the first device via the network-accessible platform, information associated with commissioning the first cyber-security service; and   transmitting, by the system, the information associated with the commissioning of the first cyber-security service to the first cyber-security provider.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the processor comprises a plurality of processors operating in a distributed processing environment, and further comprising delivering the first cyber-security service to the first device responsive to the transmitting of the information associated with the commissioning of the first cyber-security service. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the network-accessible platform is an open application programming interface, and wherein the open application programming interface enables the first cyber-security service to interact with the network-accessible platform to offer the first cyber-security service to the devices associated with the communications service provider via the user interface. 
     
     
         38 . A machine-readable storage medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:
 presenting a network-accessible platform offering cyber-security services associated with cyber-security providers to devices associated with a communication service provider;   receiving a selection, from a first device of the devices associated with the communication service provider, of a first cyber-security service of the cyber-security services, the first cyber-security service associated with a first cyber-security provider of the cyber-security providers, the selection received via a user interface of the network-accessible platform; and   delivering the first cyber-security service to the first device responsive to the selection that is received.   
     
     
         39 . The machine-readable storage medium of  claim 38 , wherein the processor comprises a plurality of processors operating in a distributed processing environment, wherein the cyber-security services are self-certified by the cyber-security providers as being compatible with the network-accessible platform.