Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization formed

More than 40 security software technologists and anti-malware testers from around the world recently met in Bilbao, Spain to formalize the charter of the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization (AMTSO).

The formation of AMTSO has been driven by industry-wide concern about the increasing mismatch between what anti-malware technologies actually do, and the testing methodologies used to evaluate them.  As anti-malware solutions become more complex, many existing tests are unable to evaluate product effectiveness properly, resulting in product reviews that are sometimes incomplete, inaccurate and misleading.

AMTSO is focused on addressing the global need for improvement in the objectivity, quality and relevance of testing methodologies.  The organization also aims to promulgate universally adopted standards and guidelines for anti-malware testing.  The vision for AMTSO was formed in May 2007 during the International Antivirus Testing Workshop in Reykjavik, Iceland, and developed further during the Antivirus Asia Researchers Conference in Seoul, South Korea last December. 

Pursuant to its preliminary charter, AMTSO will:

• Provide a forum for discussions related to the testing of anti-malware and related products
• Develop and publicize objective standards and best practices for testing of anti-malware and related products
• Promote education and awareness of issues related to the testing of anti-malware and related products
• Provide tools and resources to aid standards-based testing methodologies
• Provide analysis and review of current and future testing of anti-malware and related products