1e Limited

Andrew Mayo

Geoff Collins

A client computing device has a storage device storing a plurality of files and a system agent. The system agent applies a hash function to binary data read from the plurality of files to generate a set of data signatures. A server computing device has a database interface to access a database representing a state of the network and storage for a set of exemplar data signatures resulting from a scan of one or more exemplar computing devices, each data signature generated by applying a hash function to binary data representing a file. The client computing device is configured to receive and compare the set of exemplar data signatures with the generated set of data signatures, and to transmit data to the server computing device based on the comparison. The server computing device is configured to obtain data received from the client computing device and update records in the database.

Determining a state of a network

A method of monitoring an operating state of a computing device includes running a system agent on the computing device. An introduced process is executed on the computing device, and a captured parameter relating to at least one of the system agent and the introduced process is captured. The captured parameter is compared to at least one pre-determined parameter. Where the captured parameter differs from the pre-determined parameter by more than a pre-determined threshold, a signal indicative of a change in operating state of the computing device is output.

Computing device monitoring

Methods and systems are described herein to restrict execution of files stored on a computing device. In an example a request to execute a file is intercepted by a security agent on the computing device. The security agent is arranged to determine if metadata stored with the with the file comprises a cryptographic code comprising a function of at least a private key of a security server in communication with the computing device and a first hash value the first hash value being an output of a hash function applied to data associated with the file at a first time. If the security agent determines that the metadata comprises the cryptographic code, it verifies the code with a public key of the security server, obtains a second hash value of the file at a second time and executes the file if the first hash value matches the second hash value.

File execution

Software installed on a computer network is often inconsistently, or even incorrectly, identified. The same software may be identified in different ways. A catalogue of standardized identifiers is provided. The actual identifiers of software installed on the network are accessed and mapped to the standardized identifiers of the catalogue. The standardized identifiers are used to manage the installed software, monitor license compliance and/or, monitor maintenance agreements amongst other uses. Data relating to the use of the software is also be obtained and associated with the identification data. Identified software is uninstalled if it complies with a preset criterion. The usage data together with the standardized identifiers may be used to un-install un-used or under used software and licenses cancelled or reallocated. The standardized identifiers may be used to identify if forbidden software is being used and if so to compulsorily un-install the software.

Identifying software

Software installed on a computer network is often inconsistently, or even incorrectly, identified. The same software may be identified in different ways. A catalogue of standardized identifiers is provided. The actual identifiers of software installed on the network are accessed and they are mapped to the standardized identifiers of the catalogue. The standardized identifiers are used to manage the installed software, monitor license compliance and/or, monitor maintenance agreements amongst other uses. Data relating to the use of the software may also be obtained and associated with the identification data. The usage data together with the standardized identifiers allows managers to more reliably manage software on the network. For example un-used software may be un-installed and licenses cancelled or reallocated.

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Cookham, United Kingdom

Andrew Mayo