Google to Unveil New Titan Computer Chip

Google to Unveil New Titan Computer Chip

In an effort to better compete against Amazon and Microsoft in the cloud computing space, Google will reveal the technical details of its new security feature, the Titan computer chip.

  • Aug 24, 2017

Thursday, in an effort to better compete against Amazon.com and Microsoft in the cloud computing space, Alphabet Inc.’s Google will reveal the technical details of its new Titan computer chip, an elaborate security feature for its cloud computing network which was announced in March.

Innovation in Cybersecurity

The Titan chip, which is designed to protect the data centers powering its cloud services, is about the size of a tiny stud earring and has already been installed in each of the many thousands of computer servers and network cards that populate the company’s massive data centers.

Titan scans hardware to ensure it has not been tampered with and if anything has been changed, the chip will prevent the machine from booting, Neal Mueller, head of infrastructure product marketing for Google Cloud Platform, said in a recent interview.

As most servers and other network hardware are made by Asian hardware companies, data center operators have become increasingly concerned that nation-state hackers or cyber criminals could compromise devices before they are sent overseas.

“It allows us to maintain a level of understanding in our supply chain that we otherwise wouldn’t have,” Mueller said.

A Competitive Edge

Google has struggled to compete with Amazon Web Services, which has more features, and Microsoft, which has long-standing relationships with enterprises, Lydia Leong, an analyst for Gartner told Reuters.

The company is hoping its new strategy, spearheaded by the release of the Titan chip, will differentiate its services and attract enterprise customers from sectors with complex compliance regulations, such as those in financial services and the medical field.

Since Google holds just 7 percent of the worldwide cloud market – which is forecasted by Gartner to be worth nearly $50 billion – the goal is for the company to carve out a bigger piece of the pie.

Neither Amazon.com nor Microsoft (which, according to Synergy Research Group, hold 41 percent and 13 percent of cloud market share, respectively) have said if they have implemented similar features.

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.