A method of searching data streams arriving over a network in order to look for a predetermined reserved set of indicia first identifies and then tags the data per the found information in a reserved indicia set. The tags are applied by “StreamTagApps” (STAs), which are small, quickly executing software applications that are each focused on the tagging of data that includes a particular indicium in order to make the identification process rapid. The method thus allows very quick action to be taken in order to maximize the usefulness of the data. Multiple STAs in one or both of horizontal and vertical configurations may be constructed in order to provide any necessary level of speed or take full advantage of an available hardware configuration.