SANDS Lab CEO Kim Ki-hong receives Presidential Commendation on Science and ICT Day
Recognized for ICT contributions including AI datasets and proactive AI-based response systems Leading next-generation technology development and nurturing future technologies through CTI President Yoon emphasizes three game-changing technologies at the ceremony; SANDS Lab renews focus on AI development
SANDS Lab CEO Kim Ki-hong receives Presidential Commendation on Science and ICT Day
- Recognized for ICT contributions including AI datasets and proactive AI-based response systems
- Leading next-generation technology development and nurturing future technologies through CTI
- President Yoon emphasizes three game-changing technologies at the ceremony; SANDS Lab renews focus on AI development
Photo. Korea Communications Commission Chairman Kim Hong-il (left) and SANDS Lab CEO Kim Ki-hong (right) after the ceremony.
Kim Ki-hong, CEO of AI and big data security company SANDS Lab, received a Presidential Commendation at the 2024 Science and ICT Day ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and Korea Communications Commission on the 22nd.
Held at Gwacheon National Science Museum in Gyeonggi Province under the theme of becoming a global science and technology hub and a digital model nation, the ceremony honored contributors to science, technology, information, broadcasting and communications. President Yoon Suk Yeol attended, marking the first appearance by a sitting president in eight years.
Selected for the ICT development commendation, Kim founded the company as a student venture in 2003 and has since developed technologies and systems supporting Korea’s security industry. In December last year, he also received the Minister’s Award in the social contribution category of the 2023 Korea Internet Awards.
In 2014, Kim launched malwares.com, now CTX, using collected malware data to address growing threats. CTI helps prevent the mass spread of attacks and enables proactive responses, minimizing losses to social infrastructure caused by recovery from cyberattacks.
Over the past decade, SANDS Lab has analyzed 37.6 billion threat records and handled approximately 2.2 billion malware samples. Using what is considered Asia’s largest big data collection, it has built, validated and opened cybersecurity AI datasets, advanced next-generation CTI technology and supported the transition to proactive AI-based incident response. These contributions earned recognition in this year’s government awards for science, technology and ICT development.
SANDS Lab is strengthening its position as a Korean CTI specialist by incorporating generative AI and developing security-specific LLMs to anticipate emerging threats and detect AI-enhanced attacks. It also continues to grow as an AI and big data security leader through technology partnerships with various companies.
Kim said, “I am honored to receive this award for contributing to AI, one of the three game-changing technologies highlighted by the president on Science and ICT Day. Through innovative and ambitious R&D, we will further advance cybersecurity-specific AI and strengthen response capabilities through CTI, helping Korea become a first mover in advanced science and technology.”