Information and Communication Technology

## Electron devices, Communication technology, Information processing technology

## Commercialization of system for detecting and exterminating unknown computer viruses

Establishment of technology for evading unknown mail viruses, International market and strategy for intellectual property, Technology transfer to local enterprise

Organizations Involved

○ Yuuji Koui, Professor, Dept. of Engineering, Iwate University

Setsuro Mizuno, President, ERI Inc.

## [Summary of technology transfer]

## Technological Impact

## 【Abstract】

Current measures against e-mail viruses take time to reach PC users, during which the virus damage spreads. This new technology quickly detects and exterminates e-mail viruses, even unknown ones, offering a simple vaccine.

The Department of Engineering at Iwate University has developed a virus filter technology that is able to detect and exterminate unknown computer viruses with high accuracy. An international patent application has been filed, and a licensing agreement has been signed with ERI Inc., a local enterprise. An alliance with a major anti-virus software company active in the international market has been formed to supply the system.

Commercialization of this technology will contribute to the improvement of Internet society.

The new technology differs from existing anti-virus software in the following ways: -Bayes' theorem prediction of future's unknown computer virus from past data -Automation process for detection and extermination of unknown computer viruses -Automatic generation and notification of signature which was characterized by detected unknown computer viruses

## Market & Social Impact

Prof. Koui

In the Japanese consumer market, the annual turnover of major anti-virus companies is about 250 billion yen in total. Anti-virus software accounts for most of this. The number of reported cases of computer virus damage reached 34,268 in 2006 (IPA), and the social damage increases year by year. The anti-virus software market has expanded steadily every year too. The present computer virus business can be seen as offering temporary measures, but our new technology aims to offer preventive measures. The competitive service that the new technology allows, given commercialization, will contribute to the improvement of Internet society.

President Mizuno

## Project Background

The ERI Inc. moved into the incubation facility of Iwate University expressed interest in joint research on this technology. On completion of the system, it was proposed to a major anti-virus company.

## Funding History

Two research funds from local organizations: $ {①} $ “Iwate incubation 2nd fund”, Iwate Industry Promotion Center Foundation, $ {②} $ “Iwagin frontier fund”, Iwate Industries and Universities cooperation promotion conference

## Example of System Configuration

## I ntellectual Property Protection

## Features

Patent Applications Filed: Japan 1,

Overseas 1

- Prompt isolation of computer infected with virus

- Identification of computer

“Computer virus unique information extraction equipment”

infected with virus

JPA2006-512621, WO2005/103895

- Obstruction of infection by preview-infection virus

## Turning points in the project

○Incubation facility accelerated close development of system

○Conclusion of licensing agreement by considering licensee's degree of freedom and reduced risk

○Marketing strategy that uses international patent and considers global market