Trend Micro Eyes The Network Layer

Network VirusWall 1200 is an outbreak prevention appliance that scans, detects and blocks threats from inside the corporate network, not just in the application layer. In addition, Trend Micro's new Vulnerability Assessment service allows administrators to isolate infected or vulnerable devices from the rest of the network.

"The virus and malicious code situation is evolving and really has become a serious network virus problem," said Lane Bess, president of Trend Micro's North American operations in Cupertino, Calif. "With this product, we're restricting virus and other malicious codes from infiltrating the network, and it's really a virus-protection vs. a response approach."

CDG, Trend Micro's largest partner, has been testing the Network VirusWall 1200 for the past two weeks and pitching it to customers, and the demand has been tremendous, said Baji Manji, vice president of sales at the Calgary, Alberta-based solution provider.

"More than just a [product] sale, the device allows for additional opportunities in terms of services revenue, such as vulnerability assessments," Manji said.

Solution providers say they're especially interested in the Network VirusWall 1200's ability to block attacks at network ports and prevent an infected device from accessing the network.

"The game has changed, and Trend Micro is reacting to that with a product that looks for bad codes or patterns at the port level," said Bill O'Brien, principal at Commercium Technology, Rumson, N.J.

Solution providers also can integrate Network VirusWall 1200 with Trend Micro's Control Manager, which lets them centrally manage security policies, and with the vendor's Outbreak Prevention services.

The Network VirusWall 1200 hardware is sold per unit and starts at $5,995 for one to five units. The VirusWall 1200 software is sold per seat, with 250 seats costing $30 per user.