IDF: McAfee touts silicon-level security with DeepSAFE platform

McAfee has unveiled a security platform at IDF that integrates the company's security tools with Intel processors at the silicon level to monitor and block code at the lowest levels.

DeepSAFE is designed to prevent rootkits and other attacks which occur at levels conventional security software platforms are unable to detect.

Vimal Solanki, senior vice president for corporate strategy at McAfee, told V3 that DeepSAFE fills the gap between anti-virus software and Intel's embedded security protection.

"Vendors say it has been sufficient because most of the threats have been in the application layer. What has changed is that threats are moving down the stack," he said.

Solanki explained that highly targeted and specialised attacks such as Operation Aurora and Stuxnet have created a need for silicon-level security, and that DeepSAFE will help the company gain an edge on its competitors.

Solanki estimated that other vendors could take two to three years to develop comparable platforms.

DeepSAFE is not, however, the result of exclusive access granted to McAfee by Intel, a concern which was raised when the chipmaker announced its intention to acquire McAfee.

Additionally, McAfee has not ruled out porting the platform to other processor brands.

"If you think about the APIs, we are using capabilities in the existing silicon that are open. Intel isn't giving us access to the silicon that other companies don't have. It is what we did with these APIs. That's where the secret sauce is," said Solanki.

DeepSAFE has not been announced as part of any current offering, but will be integrated into future releases alongside software-based security products.

"The benefits of what we announced today will be felt for years to come. The gravity of the information may take a while to sink in," said Solanki.