Content capturing solutions specialist Chronicle Solutions has launched a new version of its flagship NetReplay appliance, which is designed to help firms comply with regulations and identify and investigate illegal use of IT systems by staff.

The product sits on the network and inspects, records and indexes electronic content in real time. It can replay content transmitted via email, file transfers, instant messaging, web sites, blog entries and web mail, according to vice-president of product management, Melville Carrie.

"We have coined the term network content appliance and have been refining this product for the last six years," Carrie said. "It allows firms to investigate, substantiate, refute or prosecute with irrefutable forensic evidence."

The latest product is a 64bit Linux version, which provides a more robust system with a larger memory, said the vendor. The ability to hold more information in RAM allows reports to be generated more quickly, it added.

"We are targeting highly regulated industries, but there is a need for the product elsewhere," Carrie said. "In seven to 10 years’ time, content monitoring may be [as ubiquitous] as antivirus tools."

IT staff and investigators can review the content a user has viewed or listened to, providing speedy and reliable evidence in cases where confidential information is exposed, acceptable usage policies are breached, or illegal activity has taken place, said Carrie.