Trend Micro Releases Endpoint Security Offering For SMBs

Trend Micro's new Worry Free Business Security 6.0 release is geared for the smallest businesses, as well as remote workers and branch offices. The release addresses Web-delivered threats such as phishing, Trojans, spam and other social engineering threats created to trick unsuspecting users into downloading malware.

Dan Woodward, Trend Micro director of marketing for SMB, said that SMB employees often lack awareness about basic security threats, and don't have the dedicated staff to adequately reinforce best security practices.

"You look like you're getting [an e-mail] from a co-worker and you realize it's not [from a co-worker] and it's too late," Woodward said. "Employees really haven't changed their behavior. They're going to still visit their Facebook or Google [Web pages]. The problem is, bad guys are looking for places where a lot of people go. They're still going to go out there and check personal information. [SMB employees] put their employers at risk."

Altogether, the latest Worry Free release, which is powered by Trend Micro's Smart Protection Network, touts a stronger ability to block viruses, spyware, spam, malware and other Web threats with new features that include added URL filtering, enhanced scanning, improved heuristics and analysis, and an updated version of the Worry Free remote manager that specifically targets channel partners.

Michelle Drolet, CEO of Framingham, Mass.-based TowerWall, said that additional features for the Worry Free release creates a "one-stop" endpoint security product that has become increasingly necessary in the SMB space.

"It allows them to a have a one-stop shop instead of multiple products. The URL filtering is fine. The reporting is good. The remote manager gives them the ability to centrally manage everything and not deal with multiple consoles," Drolet said. "It keeps the cost down, and today that's really important."

Trend Micro executives said that one of the product highlights is beefed-up URL filtering, which blocks inappropriate, malicious or nonbusiness-related Web sites, and can be configured to different filtering strengths based on company policies or business and leisure hours.

Meanwhile, executives say that the new SPN-Powered Smart Scan function provides faster scanning, while detecting and removing a larger number of threats. The Smart Scan function stores the majority of detection technologies -- 80 percent -- in the cloud, which frees up local PCs and servers and helps prevent system slow-down over time.

The SPN-powered Smart Feedback also automatically feeds security-related issues and events to Trend Micro, which, in turn, analyzes the security issues and provides necessary security updates.

In addition, the Worry Free release offers enhanced dashboard security and new USB device protection, which resonates with remote or traveling workers, executives say.

"One of the things that our customers ask over and over again is about USB device threat protection," Trend Micro's Woodward said. "The assumption [in the SMB] is that technology would take care of Web and take care of e-mail, but they're more and more concerned about employees infecting the network."

For channel partners, the latest version of Worry Free Business Security offers an updated version of the Worry Free Remote Manager, which provides an integrated installation Worry Free Business Security 6.0 and also supports Trend Micro InterScan Messaging Hosted Security. It also allows partners to operate and manage around 10 clients remotely, which allows them to reduce costs of personal visits for routine maintenance.

"It's a total solution," Drolet said. "[SMBs] like the total solution. And with one management [console] that piece of the puzzle helps them sleep better at night."

Worry Free Business Security 6.0 for Windows Vista will be available for download May 29. Worry Free Business Security 6.0 is also available for Microsoft Small Business Server 2008, Microsoft Essential Business Server 2008 and Microsoft Exchange 2007 on Windows Server 2008.