Trend Micro’s InterScan Web Security Appliance (IWSA) is a real-time, security-rich product for protecting organizations from web threats. IWSA’s new web reputation feature blocks user access to suspicious domains, while performing website reputation scoring without the need of uploading updates.

IWSA blocks and protects both old and emerging FTP and HTTP protocol threats. The InterScan appliance can also block non-HTTP protocols, such as IM communications. This appliance is capable of blocking all outbound connections to known spyware and phishing websites. IWSA integrates seamlessly with Trend Micro’s Control Manager for even greater coordination, deployment and configuration by fitting into existing infrastructure, such as LDAP, ICAP, WCCP and others.

In the ease of use category not much has changed since we last saw this appliance. The setup and management of this product is simple and intuitive from start to finish. There is no setup wizard for this appliance, but that does not hinder the simple setup process. Once network IP information is entered via the LCD screen, further configuration is done through the well-organized web interface. The default policy is fairly solid and we had no trouble adjusting policies as needed.

With LDAP proxy integration and specialized IM scanning via the IntelliTunnel, this product goes above a standard anti-malware gateway. It also has an optional clean-up program that will quarantine an infected machine and clean it up before the user is allowed on the network.

Trend Micro provides an easy to understand and well-thought-out step-by-step administration guide. It is well-laid-out and leaves nothing to chance from a deployment standpoint.

Trend Micro offers a premium support program (PSP) to customers, as well as many other good support options. The website has a large support area.

At a price of $19,990 for 2,500 users, this product provides solid protection — even to some larger environments — without a high purchase cost or high administration overhead.