Some comforting news about packet data security checks and latency

I am at the Fall 2005 VON show in Boston.

Last night, I took part in an interesting conversation with a leading IP security vendor. The conversation went something like this:

Spam and viruses aren't coming to VoIP calls. They are here. Not only that but Denial of Service Attacks.

With some well-armed PCs and just a few servers, the bad guys can launch tens of thousands of voice requests to your VoIP line. Your servers will never be able to handle the load.

Solutions exist that thwart viruses and malware before you receive the bad call by examining packets.

So then I say something to the effect of "OK, when you tell me packets will be checked after the call is made but before I receive it, what about latency?"

In other words will I be hearing delays while the packets are checked?

I suppose it is the lesser of two evils, I think to myself.

But maybe not. Not after I am told that the amount of latency that the human ear will pick up is around 120 milliseconds- and that these solutions weigh in at about 15 microseconds.

That's comforting.