Industry news

Ocert gets Google backing

Google has backed a new organisation dedicated to tackling open-source security issues, it has been reported.

The search-engine giant is supporting the Open-Source Computer Emergency Response Team (Ocert) that aims to become a storehouse of patches and bug-fixes for the software to ensure the free-flow of information between those developing the code and vendors distributing it.

Ocert, formed in March, believes that coders that may not have had the means to inform companies in the past will be able to use it to relay the information via website advisories, according to PC Pro.

Google will be among the corporate sponsors covering the costs of the voluntary organisation.

The search engine said on its online security blog: "[Ocert] will strive to contact software authors with all security reports and aid in debugging and patching, especially in cases where the author, or the reporter, doesn't have a background in security.

"Reliable contacts for projects, publishers, and vendors will be maintained where possible and used for notification when issues arise and fixes are available for mediated issues."

According to the BBC, Google started out in a California garage in 1998 with just four employees.