VMworld: Trend Micro goes virtual with latest appliance

Trend Micro has posted an update for its Deep Security server protection platform, targeting server virtualisation and sporting a new module for VMware systems.

The module will integrate Trend's anti-malware into a virtual appliance, protecting systems at the hypervisor level and eliminating the need for anti-malware tools to be installed on individual virtual machines.

Todd Thiemann, senior director of datacentre security marketing at Trend, told V3.co.uk that the move is designed to improve performance and boost security.

Thiemann explained that, when each virtual machine runs its own anti-malware installation, tasks such as timed updates can cause each machine to request resources at the same time, potentially creating performance and stability issues for the host server.

By keeping anti-malware protection running at the virtual appliance level, Deep Security 7.5 also looks to solve vulnerabilities when a new virtual machine is created or reactivated with older security protections.

"You are getting stronger security because the protection is always on," Thiemann said. "When you fire up the virtual machine you don't have to worry that it might have an outdated anti-malware file."

Additionally, he noted that the virtual appliance offers security advantages such as the ability to prevent attacks between virtual machines and protection from malware infections that attempt to disable anti-malware components.

Trend is also looking to expand security for cloud computing platforms. The company is launching a beta test for a service to encrypt data stored on cloud computing platforms such as Amazon's EC2.

SecureCloud allows users and administrators to encrypt mounted volumes and then manage security keys along parameters such as location and security clearance.

Thiemann said that the beta is the first step in a larger effort to solve the lack of confidence many companies feel about migrating data to cloud services.

"This allows the service provider to address and knock down that inhibitor," he said. "We have had some discussions and they are all very supportive of this. "