To remedy the problems of slow speeds and heavy computing resources of current sniffer technologies, Professor Jean-Pierre David, École Polytechnique de Montréal, has proposed a system that enables real-time file content detection and tracking over a network.

This system has three components: a database of indexed files to be monitored, an optimized algorithm, and hardware to implement the algorithm (an FPGA board or on chip depending on volume)

When one of the protected files passes into a network, it is automatically detected by the system, a report indicating the transmission is sent, and an alarm is set off. Depending on the application, its transmission can even be blocked before it arrives at its destination.

Applications include:

• Cyber Surveillance
  
• Child Pornography Detection
  
• Virus Prevention
  
• National Security
• Cyber Watching
• Confidentiality Protection

Current known limitations:

• Detection and tracking performance may be reduced with encrypted files.
• Depending on applications, installing numerous sub-systems of the hardware and algorithm could be required

Fully tested in lab at 100 Mbit/s and 1 Gbit/s. Simulation shows it can work at 10Gbits/s or more.

Further information available upon request (under non disclosure agreement).

Governments, Public Security Agencies or any Organization that needs to control or ensure the transmission of files now has the opportunity to go beyond current limited real-time cyber-surveillance solutions technologies (sniffers).

• Does not depend on data transmission protocols.
• Protected files are not tagged.
• Can be applied to all types of data files and including compressed files.
• Detectable data transmissions include the downloading or uploading of webpages transmission of emails.
• Works at 10Gbit/s and more.
  

Univalor and Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal are seeking for partners to support its commercialization in different fields of use.