SecureData Security, part of JSE-listed SecureData Holdings and the sole sub-Saharan distributor for Trend Micro, today announced the latter's 'first of its kind'; new Core Protection software that secures VMware environments and enables enterprises to maximise the economic benefits of virtualisation without compromising the security of their data centre.
With the introduction of a content security solution to protect VMware ESX/ESXi environments, Trend Micro is expanding its overall virtualisation security portfolio.
Trend Micro Core Protection for Virtual Machines is designed to secure VMware virtual machines, both active and dormant, comprehensively and efficiently. The product leverages the VMsafe APIs from VMware to offer layered protection through the use of dedicated scanning VMs co-ordinated with real-time agents within the VM.
"We were interested to try out Trend Micro Core Protection for Virtual Machines since most security solutions are focused on the operating system software, and this was the first solution we found for addressing the unique aspects of virtual machines," commented Terence Snijtsheuvel, a senior consultant at Compugen, one of Canada's largest privately owned and operated IT services providers and PC systems integrators.
A growing need for virtual data centre security
A tough economy is driving companies globally to adopt more cost-effective measures and pursue efficiency, one of the main reasons why analysts expect the virtualisation industry to hit over $7 billion over the next four years.
But while server virtualisation increases efficiency in the data centre, it also challenges the security of the IT environment: Existing content security solutions imported from the physical world typically leave security gaps when deployed in virtual environments. For example, dormant or offline virtual machines can get infected even while dormant, yet are unable to protect themselves with a virus scan agent and signature updates.
Similarly, resource-intensive security operations, such as scheduled full system scans, can significantly degrade the performance of the host and render the security ineffective, especially when initiated concurrently on multiple virtual machines.
Trend Micro Core Protection for Virtual Machines addresses these issues and enables enterprises to maximise the economic benefits of virtualisation without compromising the security of their data centre.
"To protect virtual environments, the main challenge is to deal with the many virtual machines that are dormant at any point in time. Even when not in use, virtual machines can be attacked and are especially vulnerable since traditional scans are not being done and pattern files are not being updated while they are dormant," added Snijtsheuvel. "With Core Protection for Virtual Machines, Trend Micro aims to offer a security solution that protects active and dormant virtual machines and therefore the entire infrastructure."
The new Trend Micro Core Protection for Virtual Machines:
* Is optimised for virtualisation and closes the security gaps unique to virtualised environments. It secures dormant and active virtual machines by providing scanning and pattern updates from a separate scanning virtual machine; and improves the performance profile of virtual servers.
* Provides world-class malware protection by ensuring that virtual machines are secure even when dormant and ready to go with the latest pattern updates whenever activated. Protects active virtual machines against disruptive actions by malware such as Conficker by providing a layer of isolation for the security agent from the machine being scanned.
* Simplifies management by integrating tightly with the VMware management infrastructure, reducing the complexity of managing security within virtual environments. Continuous synchronisation with vCenter allows security solution to monitor virtual machine dynamics and manage virtual machine sprawl.
* Is easy to deploy and will seamlessly fit into a Trend Micro OfficeScan deployment, allowing central management from the same OfficeScan console used to manage desktops and physical servers.
"As virtualisation revolutionises computing, it is introducing new risks to the security of the data centre," continued Tom Miller, general manager for the enterprise business unit at Trend Micro. "Trend Micro Core Protection for Virtual Machines goes further than any other product in the industry towards providing specialised content security for virtual servers, both active and dormant, in today's dynamic data centre."
Part of Trend Micro Enterprise Security
Trend Micro Core Protection for Virtual Machines is part of Trend Micro Enterprise Security - a tightly integrated offering of content security products, services and solutions, which is powered by the Trend Micro Smart Protection Network. Trend Micro Enterprise Security delivers immediate protection from emerging threats while greatly reducing the cost and complexity of security management.
For further information, please contact Lee Bristow at tel. +27 11 790 2500; fax +27 11 790 2599; e-mail leeb@securedata.co.za.
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Trend Micro
Trend Micro, a global leader in Internet content security, focuses on securing the exchange of digital information for businesses and consumers. A pioneer and industry vanguard, Trend Micro is advancing integrated threat management technology to protect operational continuity, personal information, and property from malware, spam, data leaks and the latest Web threats. Trend Micro's flexible solutions, available in multiple form factors, are supported 24/7 by threat intelligence experts around the globe. Many of these solutions are powered by the Trend Micro Smart Protection Network, a next-generation cloud-client content security infrastructure, designed to protect customers from Web threats.
SecureData
SecureData is a specialist, value-added distributor of perimeter, application, network, endpoint, storage and identity information security solutions and risk management solutions for the African sub-continent and Indian Ocean islands. A cross-section of the available solutions from SecureData illustrates wide coverage of the following information security and risk management domains: business continuity, security appliances and devices, hardware authentication, identity and access management, security and vulnerability management, secure content management, threat management and security services.
SecureData's information security and risk management solutions include best-of-breed solutions, devices and appliances for the perimeter, data centres, applications, network, endpoints, messaging and Web. In addition, as a value-add to vendor, channel and customer, SecureData also provides a full complement of support, pre-sales and professional services around the solutions positioned in each discrete security vertical.
For more information, visit SecureData at http://www.securedata.co.za.
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