By allowing robust e-mail security to run alongside other applications within a single piece of hardware, the virtual version of this product is designed to enable organisations of all sizes to block the full realm of malicious code affecting e-mail systems – spam, phishing attacks, viruses, worms and other malcode – while helping to consolidate the number of physical components needed to support and secure their IT environment. The Proventia Network Mail Security System also helps organizations prevent the leakage of sensitive or confidential data outside the confines of their company through e-mail.
“With so many organisations falling victim to data leakage and the loss of confidential information in today's computing environment, a powerful e-mail security product that has the ability to inspect both inbound and outbound communication is a necessary piece of any network infrastructure. Without an e-mail security solution featuring fully automated inspection, that can understand the intent and content of each message, many organizations are left more vulnerable,” said Scott Paisley, Business Line Manager for E-mail & Content Security at IBM Internet Security Systems. “As more organisations are realising the benefits of virtualised environments for cutting costs and removing IT complexities, IBM ISS remains at the forefront of the industry by supporting these virtualisation initiatives with the cutting-edge security we’ve been delivering to customers for nearly 13 years.”
Companies that choose to use virtual solutions for key pieces of messaging and collaboration recognise that virtualisation can significantly reduce costs and the burden of management for IT organisations. By offering a virtual security solution to verify the integrity of messaging technology deployments, IBM can also add value through a lower total cost of hardware, a clear process for disaster recovery and a simplified means for tracking, auditing and preventing messaging-based threats.
The new IBM ISS virtual e-mail security appliance provides customers with the same powerful capabilities as the original Proventia Network Mail Security System. Unlike many e-mail security solutions that tend to focus solely on anti-spam technology, the IBM ISS solution offers more comprehensive, pre-emptive protection against messaging threats through one of the industry’s leading intrusion prevention system (IPS) technologies. In addition to featuring this key technology, IBM ISS’ Proventia Network Mail Security System is designed to effectively block both traditional and image-based spam, providing customers with a layered solution to secure their messaging infrastructure.
IBM’s Proventia portfolio is part of an integrated and unified security platform. The IBM Internet Security Systems product line integrates through a centralised management console, IBM Proventia Management SiteProtector™, designed to maximise protection and simplify management. Through its Proventia protection platform, IBM ISS provides multi-layered protection from network to host. By infusing products with security intelligence from the IBM Internet Security Systems X-Force® research and development team and its unique IBM Virtual Patch® technology, IBM security solutions are designed to protect customers before their business assets are impacted by online intrusions.
The virtual version of the Proventia Network Mail Security System is scheduled to be available this month. The product is highly scalable and is priced on a tiered basis, making it possible to obtain enterprise class security at prices affordable for businesses of all sizes. Currently, the product supports the VMware virtualisation platform, with plans to extend to other platforms in the future.