RSA 2010: Secunia offers free patch management to all

Secunia revealed plans to release free security software at RSA 2010

Vulnerability specialist Secunia will release free patch management software to all in a bid to cut web attack vectors.

The software takes a snapshot of the host system and scans applications for unpatched vulnerabilities. It then recommends and installs the relevant patches to minimise the routes that malware could use to infect a system.

Speaking exclusively to V3.co.uk, Secunia chief executive Niels Henrik Rasmussen explained that the tool will undergo beta testing in a couple of months, and will be available by September.

"The software will absolutely be free," he said. "It's been quite an investment for the company, but we wanted to build a tool that would be of value to technologists and consumers."

Technologically savvy users have little problems with patch management, but a large number of computer users still need help, Rasmussen explained. Ideally this sort of software should be preinstalled on every new machine, but that needs vendor support.

"If vendors will help, then so much the better," he said. "As we say in business: if you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together."

Rasmussen revealed that Secunia has major expansion plans afoot. The bulk of the company's business is in Europe, but the firm is planning a move on the US market and will open its first offices in the US next year.