Next Step In Network
Security: Don't Get Mad -
Get Even
Date: 7/1/98
Author: Tony Kontzer
The founders of a little-known New Mexico
company are hoping to turn the world of network
security upside down.
Larry and Lisa Wood, the couple behind
FutureVision Group Inc., have developed a data
protection system that Signal magazine called ''the
first true digital life form.''
Existing network security software is programmed
to look for certain known things, such as a
computer virus. But FutureVision's product acts
something like a digital antibody.
The software develops a ''model'' or ''blueprint'' of
the system it's protecting. Then, anything abnormal
is detected. This can be anything from an
accidentally transmitted virus to electronic
espionage.
Little-known FutureVision has gained admirers.
''This is to the technology age what the hydrogen
bomb was to the nuclear age,'' said Tom Price,
director of corporate activities for the Armed
Forces Communication Electronics Association.
''I don't exaggerate,'' said Price. ''We have here a
system - the first of its kind - that, if somebody
tries to enter your system they'll be sorry they ever
did.''
The software ''self-organizes, self-programs and
self-heals,'' said Lisa Wood, FutureVision's chief
executive.
One other thing. The software, called Lightning
Server, is aggressive. Once it detects unauthorized
activity on the network, it launches a
counterattack. That is, it might not only kill a virus,
but also kill it from the sender's system. Should
another computer system try to infiltrate, that
system could be ruined by Lightning Server.
''You literally have something that acts like an
immune system,'' said Larry Wood, the company's
chief scientist. ''Anything else out there that claims
to do network security can't even compete.''
The Woods hope to start selling the product before
year-end. Consumers will be able to download it
from the company's Web site, at
fvg.com, or have it installed by
FutureVision.
FutureVision might find it has rivals, says Chris
Christiansen, an analyst with International Data
Corp. in Framingham, Mass. He mentions such
companies as Symantec Corp. and Network
Associates Inc., which are working on similar
products. (See story, previous page.)
And Symantec and Network Associates, the two
leading sellers of anti- virus software, have many
more resources than the start-up. But analysts
don't discount the product. ''There's interest in
getting more intelligent security products,'' said
Ted Julian, an analyst with Forrester Research
Inc. in Cambridge, Mass.
The Woods haven't set a price. Larry Wood says
the cost will be related to the size of the network
it's protecting.
Price, whose association publishes Signal, so liked
the product that he begged the couple to
demonstrate Lightning Server and its military
version, Lightning War Server, at TechNet. That's
the trade show AFCEA put on June 9-11 in
Washington.
FutureVision also has attracted the attention of
Dun & Bradstreet - and the FBI. D&B came
across the company while putting together its
annual small-business survey early this year.
''We feel this is a company worth watching,'' said
D&B spokesman Michael Azzi. ''The character of
the principals is solid. They have an impressive
background.''
The FBI learned of the technology and contacted
Larry Wood during Lightning Server's
development. The bureau was interested in finding
out who might be capable of duplicating the
technology.
Wood helped the FBI set up a Web site that,
based on the questions it asked, would give an idea
of some people who were at least somewhat
familiar with the technology.
''Passing'' the test were some experts from former
communist nations, several scientists at large
corporations and a chief of information security for
a federal department that Wood wouldn't disclose.
Larry Wood's roots are in an esoteric area of
physics known as quantum measurement theory.
That science makes possible the construction of
automated systems with qualities normally
associated with living things.
Wood says he knows of only one such system
now used on a large scale. It's called the Joint
Tactical Information Distribution System, used by
the military to coordinate air, land and sea attacks.
He says it was used in the Gulf War.
Toward the end of a long stint with GTE
Government Systems, Larry Wood discovered a
formula known as the Unified General Equation of
Motion. It's the basis for all self-organization in
nature, he says. Wood was convinced the formula
could become the foundation of a successful
network security system.
Lisa Wood brings to the effort 12 years in
advertising and marketing.
In '95, the Woods moved from the East Coast to
Santa Fe, N.M., to start the company. Larry had
been a visiting scientist at the Santa Fe Institute,
and thought New Mexico would be a good place
to start a company.
Since then, the Woods have invested about $1
million in the business. The couple soon will seek
about $3.5 million in private investments. They
hope to add about 60 employees to the company's
10-person staff within the next 18 months.
Lisa Wood says the company will be profitable by
'01.
AFCEA's Price is one person who might agree.
''It has applications throughout defense, it has
applications in justice and it has applications in
electronic commerce,'' he said. ''This is something
that comes along once every other decade.''
(C) Copyright 1998 Investors Business Daily, Inc.
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