Trend Micro on Monday announced a new release in its InterScan line of security appliances, this one designed to protect enterprises from e-mail threats.

Called the InterScan Messaging Security Appliance, the product delivers the features of Trend Micro’s software-only InterScan Messaging Security Suite on a high-performance appliance, according to company officials.

The appliance sits at an organization’s gateway to filter out spam, viruses, phishing attacks, and other malware entering the company via e-mail. The new product includes an updated version of Trend Micro’s Network Reputation Services, which rejects connections from IP addresses known to send spam in the past, therefore blocking a large percentage of unwanted messages before they even enter the corporate network, officials say. Network Reputation Services are also available separate from the appliance.

It also includes Trend Micro’s IntelliTrap technology for zero-day virus protection.

On the outbound path, the appliance scans content for regulatory and corporate compliance, to ensure confidential information isn’t leaving the company without proper authorization, officials say.

Administrators can manage the new appliance via Trend Micro’s Web-based console.

The InterScan Messaging Security Appliance is priced starting at $20,180. Trend Micro also sells its InterScan Web Security Appliance for URL filtering and virus and spyware protection.