SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOST DATA DESTRUCTION OF ELECTRONIC DATA STORED ON A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE WHICH COMMUNICATES WITH SERVERS THAT ARE INSIDE OF AND OUTSIDE OF A FIREWALL

• US 20090300718A1
• Filed: 05/26/2009
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beachhead Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Beachhead Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Hanay, John W., Yuryev, Yuri, Williams, Cuong G., Rensin, David K., Rubin, Jeff M., Obot, James J., Montellato, David A., Lavelle, Timothy C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,449,159 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/313 using a call-back technique via a telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss

Abstract

A data security system and method protects stored data from unauthorized access. According to one aspect of the invention, a client computing device communicates periodically with a server. If communications is note established between the client and the server for a selected activation interval and a subsequent grace period, the data is determined to be lost, and programmed security rules are automatically executed. The server with which the client computer device communicates includes one server located inside the firewall of a particular organization, or a mirror server located outside the firewall, and thereby allow for the re-setting of the activation interval when the client is properly outside of the firewall through communication with the mirror server, as well as the to provide command an control over a lost or stolen client by pushing updated rules if communication is subsequently attempted with the mirror server.

Claims

1. A system configured to secure data stored on electronic devices, comprising a plurality of electronic devices that includes:

an internal electronic device located within a firewall;

an external electronic device located outside the firewall; and

a target electronic device controlled by at least one preprogrammed security feature,

wherein the target electronic device is configured to communicate with one of the plurality of electronic devices and initiates the at least one preprogrammed security feature if communication with all of the other plurality of electronic devices is lost for a predetermined time period.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined time period includes an activation interval and a grace period.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein each of the activation interval and the grace period are rest upon receipt of a signal from another of the plurality of electronic devices.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one preprogrammed security feature includes destroying a portion of the data stored on the target electronic device.