Security firms Trend Micro and Crossbeam Systems have joined forces to introduce Next Generation Content Gateway (NGCG) web threat protection for large networks.

The Crossbeam and Trend Micro consolidated web security platform provides enterprise threat protection by integrating a combination of URL filtering, malware scanning, reputation services and botnet protection.

The security firms said that websites are rapidly becoming the number one infection vector for malware and other attack vectors. Unlike past malware variants that arrived bearing a single payload, web browsing and internet-based applications have turned out to be a key source of malware and malicious content frequently installed without the victims' knowledge.

Protecting against these new web and internet-based threats is a key challenge for large enterprises. In addition, security deployments can be a significant effort for enterprises, especially when it comes to installations that span a large number of clients.

"There is a real demand for easy-to-manage, integrated security on a high performance platform to protect enterprise networks from these web and internet-based attacks," said Anthony O'Mara, vice president of sales and operations for EMEA at Trend Micro.