Unified content scanning and reporting engine

摘要

A method of unified content scanning in which content is deconstructed into base formats so as to be presented to content filters in a common format. The base formats include text, image and audio. The invention also includes a system of unified content scanning and a gateway appliance embodying the method of unified content scanning.

主权项

1. A method for preventing leakage of information or exposure to inappropriate content during electronic communications, the method comprising:
intercepting a person-to-person electronic communication; determining a type of the electronic communication; converting content of the electronic communication to a common format, the content of the electronic communication corresponding to one or more of any of text, audio, and image; parsing the content of the electronic communication in the common format into chunks that are added to a content tree, each chunk conforming to one of a plurality of base formats, the base formats being selected from a group including text, audio and image; analyzing the content of each chunk in the respective base format to identify restricted content that is not to be received or transmitted; reconstructing a modified electronic communication by building content thereof from the content tree, modifying or removing the identified restricted content as the modified electronic communication is reconstructed; and transmitting the modified electronic communication in place of the intercepted electronic communication so as to prevent leakage of the identified restricted content or exposure to the identified restricted content.