Data Integrity Server Malware Sanitization via File Type Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cybersecurity tools, such as antivirus software, are inadequate in detecting and preventing malware hidden within files imported or exported from networks, often failing to detect malicious code until significant damage is done, and there is a gap between threat identification and tool updates.
Innovation Solution
A data integrity server equipped with a malware detection module, file type verification module, and file sterilization module analyzes files with multiple anti-malware engines, verifies file types based on extensions, and cleans files using file type-specific rules to render malware benign, thereby preventing malware from entering or leaving the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antivirus software is used to detect malware, then known threats can be identified, but new and unknown malware cannot be detected and there is a time gap between threat identification and protection
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by analyzing file characteristics, headers, and structures before malware execution can cause damage. The multi-engine scanning and behavioral analysis occur proactively during file import/export operations, eliminating the reactive time gap between threat identification and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The malware detection system is segmented into multiple independent anti-malware engines, each specializing in different detection methods (signature-based, heuristic, behavioral). This segmentation allows simultaneous execution of diverse detection strategies, improving both reliability and speed of detection.
2Reliability
If multiple anti-malware engines are deployed to improve detection accuracy, then malware detection reliability increases, but system complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple anti-malware engines are merged into a unified scanning platform that coordinates their operations. The system combines signature-based detection, heuristic analysis, and behavioral monitoring into a single integrated process, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high detection accuracy through engine collaboration.
3Reliability
If files are thoroughly analyzed for malware, then security reliability improves, but file processing speed and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial analysis to most files (checking headers, basic structure, known signatures) and reserves excessive/thorough analysis only for suspicious files. This tiered approach maintains high security reliability while preserving file processing speed by avoiding full-depth analysis of every file.
Solution Approach 2:
Malware detection is performed periodically at key file operation points (import, export, execution) rather than continuously monitoring all file activities. This periodic scanning approach ensures security reliability at critical moments while minimizing overall processing overhead and maintaining productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies for protecting systems and data of an organization from malware include a data integrity server configured to receive a data file from an external source. The data integrity server analyzes the received data file with an anti-malware engine to determine whether the data file includes malware. The data integrity server discards the data file in response to a determination that the data file includes malware. Additionally, the data integrity server verifies the file type of the received data file. The data integrity server sanitizes the received data file in response to verification of the file type. Other embodiments are described and claimed.