BTexact apes biological security

Mammalian immune system holds key to secure solution

BT's research division claims to have devised a network security system based on the mammalian immune system.

BTexact, based in Martlesham, has been researching the development of new IT security solutions, and said that the new system will be commercially available later this year.

Studies were carried out into ways of copying the defence mechanisms of organic life forms and applying them to business systems.

The logic was that today's systems, with their emphasis on mobile workforces, need to adopt more fluid security measures in order to combat a foe that is constantly evolving.

"We were inspired by the dynamic interactions that take place in the inflammatory response of the mammalian immune system," said Stewart Davies, chief executive at BTexact.

Explaining how organic defence systems could be adapted for business, BTexact research director Fabrice Saffre said: "In a network you have lots of devices being plugged in and taken out which bypass the static firewalls and increase the risk of infection.

"So we have developed a system by which devices are registered and send out beacon signals which other devices recognise. If a rogue, unregistered device comes into the network, the other devices raise an alarm.

"The more devices that recognise the foreign device as an intruder, the stronger the alarm and the more likely it is that the intruder's signals will be jammed. So any foreign body will eventually be eliminated from the network."

The system is currently being tested on BTexact's 'realistic simulated network topology'.

The company announced that it is planning a 'real-world' demonstration in September, in which the system will be used to automatically tune an open source firewall.

By the end of 2002, BTexact will approach firewall manufacturers to incorporate the system into their products. Plans for joint development with security vendors will then hinge on the level of interest shown.