Ajay Harikumar

Title: Innovations by Ajay Harikumar: Pioneering Malware Detection

Introduction

Ajay Harikumar is an accomplished inventor based in Bengaluru, India, known for his significant contributions to the field of computer security and malware detection. With an impressive portfolio of 10 patents, his work focuses on innovative methods and systems that enhance the security of digital environments.

Latest Patents

Among his latest innovations, Ajay has developed patents that include methods, systems, and apparatus to detect polymorphic malware. These embodiments relate specifically to detecting malware through the identification of micro-architectural changes—also known as morphing events—when executing code at a hardware level, such as within the CPU. An exemplary embodiment of this invention involves a computer system equipped with memory circuitry comprising executable code and a central processing unit (CPU) configured to execute this code, alongside a performance monitoring unit (PMU) that detects and counts morphing events. This technology allows for a sophisticated method of identifying malware based on whether the detected morphing events exceed a predefined threshold.

In addition, Ajay has also patented a system for detecting control flow attacks. This innovative approach utilizes a heuristic event counter within a processor to trigger a performance monitoring interrupt (PMI) during the execution of a target program. The process is designed to perform preliminary analysis in kernel mode without returning to user mode, which streamlines the detection process and determines whether further heavyweight code analysis is necessary.

Career Highlights

Ajay Harikumar's career is marked by his role as an inventor at Intel Corporation, where he has played a crucial part in advancing technology related to cybersecurity. His ability to blend theoretical principles with practical application has allowed him to make significant strides in protecting computer systems from evolving threats.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Ajay has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Tessil Thomas and Biju Puther Simon. These partnerships have fostered an environment of innovation and have contributed to the successful development of advanced technologies for malware detection.

Conclusion

Ajay Harikumar's innovative efforts in the realm of computer security make him a noteworthy figure in the field of technology. With a total of 10 patents to his name, his work continues to influence how systems detect and respond to malware, reflecting his commitment to enhancing the security landscape in an increasingly digital world.