Distributed and tiered architecture for content search and content monitoring

A method for fast updating of a search database on a processing system, the method comprising:

• creating two duplicate databases each with a circular buffer using an initial set of reference signatures in each database;
• searching on an active database of the two duplicate databases with an active circular buffer;
• updating a standby circular buffer with new content added to the standby circular buffer without locks, wherein the standby circular buffer is associated with a standby database of the two duplicate databases;
• updating the standby database with the new content from the standby circular buffer,
• switching the standby database with the active database to create a new standby database;
• and
• updating the new standby database with new content from the standby circular buffer without locks.

A method for fast updating of a search database on a processing system, the method comprising:

• creating a first database locally on a client device and a second database locally on the client device with fingerprint content downloaded from a remote search server to the first database and to the second database, wherein the fingerprint content is duplicated on both the first database and on the second database;
• searching on the first database that is operating as an active database;
• updating the second database that is operating as a standby database with new signature content without locks;
• switching the active database with the standby database to create a new active database and a new standby database;
• and
• updating the new standby database with the new signature content without locks.