In the current approach to file-based threat handling, patterns (or definitions) required to protect a client are, for the most part, delivered on a scheduled basis. Patterns are delivered in batches from Trend Micro to clients. When a new update is received, the virus/malware prevention software on the client reloads this batch of pattern definitions for new virus/malware risks into memory. If a new virus/malware risk emerges, this pattern once again needs to be updated partially or fully and reloaded on the client to ensure continued protection.

Over time, there has been a significant increase in the volume of unique emerging threats. The increase in the volume of threats is projected to grow at a near-exponential rate over the coming years. This amounts to a growth rate that far outnumbers the volume of currently known security risks. Going forward, the volume of security risks represents a new type of security risk. The volume of security risks can impact server and workstation performance, network bandwidth usage, and, in general, the overall time it takes to deliver quality protection - or "time to protect".

A new approach to handling the volume of threats has been pioneered by Trend Micro that aims to make Trend Micro customers immune to the threat of virus/malware volume. The technology and architecture used in this pioneering effort leverages technology that off-loads the storage of virus/malware signatures and patterns to the cloud. By off-loading the storage of these virus/malware signatures to the cloud, Trend Micro is able to provide better protection to customers against the future volume of emerging security risks.