A local security solutions company, Shaya Technologies, says it has developed a virus protection system, SatSafe, which uses a satellite link, and will automatically update any system within one minute of a patch becoming available.
Shaya Technologies, a 38% black empowerment company, works in partnership with anti-virus (AV) vendors, and decreases the amount of time companies must wait for AV updates, or patches, says principal consultant Ian Melamed.
"We're not in competition with the vendors. We don't develop software, we ensure the secure delivery."
Most companies simply receive patches too late, says Melamed. "It's literally a case of trying to shut the door once the horse has bolted, because 80% of the damage takes place before the patch is available. Downloading a 50Mb patch on a 64Kb line could take anywhere up to 10 days."
Worm timelines are also decreasing, says Melamed, and a single hostile device could bring down an entire network. "If you're not putting your patches up within five days, you are going to have a problem."
The SatSafe system provides the automatic uploading of patches to users within a minute, says Melamed. "When we pick up a patch, within six seconds it is up-linked to the satellite, and in 60 seconds it is automatically deployed to the consumer."
Melamed adds that security is not an issue because the system is only one-way, and can't be hacked into. "The technology is actually similar to DSTV."
The company has a laboratory in Cape Town, which tests the patches for consumers. "For example, we can check that [a patch] doesn't clash with their software," he says, adding that all patches sent to clients contain a digital certificate that verifies where it came from.
The SatSafe system is a world first, claims Melamed. "After doing research, Deloitte and Touche couldn't find a competitor to this system."
Pricing for the SatSafe system starts at R875 per month for 50 users, up to R4 900 per month for unlimited users, and a further installation fee of R3 000 is required for all options.
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