Sightlabs

SightLabs is a cybersecurity spinout from TNO, the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, focused on advanced network threat detection. The company’s core technology, originally developed for the banking sector, shifts the paradigm from traditional perimeter defense to active monitoring of both outgoing and internal network traffic. By analyzing Domain Name System (DNS) requests-essentially the "phonebook" of the internet-SightLabs’ solution identifies anomalies in data flows that could indicate cyber intrusions or ongoing attacks.

Unlike conventional systems that primarily scan for threats entering the network, SightLabs’ approach is designed to detect sophisticated attackers who have already breached defenses and are operating internally. The software uses proprietary algorithms to flag unusual patterns, such as persistently steady data flows where variability is expected, which can be a hallmark of data exfiltration or malware activity. This methodology proved effective in early tests at major Dutch financial institutions and is applicable across sectors vital to national security, including energy, telecommunications, government, and intellectual property–intensive industries.

SightLabs’ technology is notable for its ability to detect high-profile threats, such as the global WannaCry ransomware attack, by recognizing suspicious DNS behaviors like communication with non-existent domains. The system is engineered for seamless integration into existing IT infrastructures and is positioned as a valuable tool for managed security service providers and organizations seeking to enhance their cyber resilience. TNO continues to support SightLabs as a co-developer, ensuring the solution remains at the forefront of network anomaly detection.

Keywords: cybersecurity, DNS monitoring, anomaly detection, network security, TNO spinout, data exfiltration, internal threat detection, financial sector, critical infrastructure, ransomware, managed security services, Netherlands, technology transfer