Trend Micro outlines three-pronged SaaS security plan

Trend Micro has unveiled a new cloud security strategy

Trend Micro has been providing details of a shift in its approach to the cloud security market over the coming sales cycle.

The company is now focusing its cloud security efforts in three main areas: traditional hosted services for small and medium sized businesses (SMBs); hybrid systems of hosted and internal security layers for enterprises; and its existing package for service providers.

"For years, we have tailored software-as-a-service [SaaS] solutions to the needs of the channel and customers in two business segments: hosted solutions for SMBs and cloud solutions for xSPs," said John Maddison, senior vice president of SaaS at Trend Micro.

"Now, we're gaining traction within the enterprise market and expanding our SaaS models to include hybrid solutions.

"We're committed to growing our investment and expertise within SaaS security, hitting new markets with new solutions that meet the management, control and privacy needs of businesses and service providers all over the world."

Hybrid systems use a mix of on-premise services for critical operations and outsourced security functions to hosted cloud services. Research this month by Infonetics showed strong price-based demand for hybrid systems.

"We asked respondents a simple question: Do you believe that the cost (in time and resources) of deploying hybrid solutions for email security could be significantly reduced if you purchased an integrated solution from a single vendor?," said Jeff Wilson, principal analyst for network security at Infonetics.

"Eighty per cent of respondents said 'yes'. Looking back at the question about how respondents currently manage hybrid solutions it's easy to see why the cost savings could be significant."

Trend Micro also announced an update to its hybrid email InterScan Messaging Security Virtual Appliance platform.

Version 8.0 of the software integrates with VMware Ready virtual appliances to filter email traffic, and blocks 90 per cent of incoming email before hitting the network, the firm said.