Trend Micro InterScan Messaging Security Suite integrates critical messaging security applications

SecureData, a member of the JSE-listed ERP.com Group, and the southern African distributor for Trend security software, today announced the availability of the latest versions of Trend Micro InterScan Messaging Security Suite, version 5.5, and Trend Micro Spam Prevention Solution (previously Service) 2.0, which combine the capabilities of the messaging gateway anti-virus solution with heuristic anti-spam scanning together in an integrated platform.

As distinctions between spam, viruses and other malicious behaviour disappear and the cost of managing two separate gateway solutions remains high, the need for an integrated, scalable, messaging platform has become an expressed need for enterprise messaging administrators.

Recently, the "nuisance" behaviour of spam, combined with malicious virus activity has become an issue: spammers have unleashed denial-of-service attacks on anti-spam service providers; viruses are using spam tactics to spread themselves via Internet mail; and relayed spam or viruses make victims appear they have propagated malware to colleagues.

To ensure they are protected from both threatening and non-threatening e-mail characteristics, organisations require a single, centrally managed solution that coordinates security protection among several fronts to help ensure they are protected from the possibility of malicious behaviour entering their networks.

Internal studies have shown that, by moving to the InterScan Messaging Security Suite platform administrators can reduce cost of ownership for gateway messaging security by as much as 45%. By integrating deployment and management at the gateway for all three critical messaging security applications, messaging security administrators have a centralised, scalable tool to define and enforce organisational policies; administer rules and filters; and manage users and lists, all time-consuming and costly activities. Additionally, preventive policies through Trend Micro Outbreak Prevention Service enable blocking of newly identified malicious code by coordinating multiple policy components at the gateway.

"In addition to the rising concern regarding malicious behaviour among known spammers, messaging administrators are concerned about the expense and ineffectiveness of managing two or more messaging solutions at the gateway," said Steve Quane, Global Director of Product Marketing at Trend Micro. "Only an experienced gateway leader, like Trend Micro, can effectively help administrators coordinate security policies across the gateway in addition to addressing the high costs of gateway policy, administration, and security enforcement. With the launch of InterScan Messaging Security Suite, messaging administrators now have an integrated, scalable gateway solution to address all of their needs."

According to IDC (2003), Trend Micro has led both the gateway and mail server anti-virus market for the last three consecutive years. The company has pioneered several award-winning products for messaging (ScanMail) and content management (eManager), and most recently introduced scanning capabilities for anti-spam at the gateway (Spam Prevention Solution).