At a time when IT investments are booming in the region, Middle Eastern companies need greater ammunition to protect their investments. Speaking at the IDC IT Security Road show in Dubai, Justin Doo, regional director for Trend Micro’s (TSE: 4704, NASDAQ: TMIC), Middle East and North Africa operations, detailed the threats that companies, regardless of their size, faced when it comes to insecure network operations.
“Nowadays, the whole world is a gigantic TCP/IP network. The boundaries are very difficult to define” said Doo. “There is discussion around moving the security focus from the internet gateway to the corporate desktop – ensuring each workstation and laptop has enterprise level protection that can be centrally managed and maintained.”
As part of its multi layered approach towards enterprise security, Trend Micro recently launched its InterScan™ Web Security Appliance, a new gateway-based hardware solution that protects against threats and triggers automated damage cleanup. The arrival of InterScan Web Security Appliance occurs at a time when spyware and many other content security threats are presenting daunting challenges for IT organizations and end users. For instance, in July 2005 Trend Micro conducted a global survey of enterprise end users that revealed 39 per cent of respondents felt that IT could do more to prevent them from falling victim to spyware and phishing. That same year, a survey conducted by IDC revealed that spyware was considered the second greatest security threat among enterprise organisations.
With the evolution of 3G technology, mobile threats are on the increase as well. There were 1526 mobile infections reported in 2004 as opposed to the 5938 infections in 2005 and, according to Doo, the almost 400 per cent increase indicates the proliferation of advanced devices.
“At Trend Micro, we are taking a proactive approach, trying to stay ahead of the attackers. Mobile phones are the next vector for hackers, who are now more interested in financial gain than earning a little fame. Virus writers like an audience, and this is a potentially huge audience for them,” he said. “Because the industry is focusing primarily on two operating systems, when considered in conjunction with the rapid increase in line speeds and the ease of billing systems already being in place, these devices are certainly a target.”
To provide a value-add service that addresses the problem of spam attacks over SMS text messaging, Trend Micro has launched Mobile Security, an application aimed at smart phones and PDAs. It is compatible with devices running the Symbian, Microsoft Windows Mobile and Pocket PC-phone edition operating systems.
Discussing the alarming rise in spyware growth, phishing and spear phishing, Doo highlighted the need for local companies to include in the protection strategy strong solutions to these new threats.
About Trend Micro, Inc
Trend Micro, Inc. is a leader in network antivirus and Internet content security software and services. The Tokyo-based corporation has business units worldwide. Trend Micro products are sold through corporate and value-added resellers and managed service providers. For additional information and evaluation copies of all Trend Micro products, visit our Web site, www.trendmicro-middleeast.com
