* Microsoft introduces Forefront brand of security tools
What single factor should be in the forefront of the decisions you make affecting your network? Microsoft hopes you’ll say “security,” because its line of security products for both servers and clients are being marketed under the new Microsoft Forefront brand.
Forefront isn’t a single product but a group of them – some new, some old, some Microsoft developed, some acquired – which are united through having a single purpose: to protect your network and your users from the variety of security breaches and malware intrusions which appear to be a standard part of our daily computing lives.
The four major pieces are:
* Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006.
* Microsoft Antigen.
* Microsoft Forefront Client Security.
* Forefront Security for Exchange Server.
ISA Server has been mentioned here before (for example, see “Microsoft releases ‘plug-and-play’ net security device”) but it now carries the subtitle “integrated edge security gateway” and is envisioned in three different deployment models: 1) Secure Application Publishing, 2) Branch Office Gateway, and 3) Web Access Protection.
Microsoft Antigen is the latest incarnation of the server-level antivirus, antispam, and content-filtering product Microsoft acquired when it purchased Sybari Software.
Forefront Client Security is the product formerly called Microsoft Client Protection. It’s currently in beta and due to be released later this year.
Forefront Client Security will provide unified malware protection for desktops, laptops, and servers with centralized management while also providing visibility into potential threats and vulnerabilities. Forefront Client Security is destined to integrate with your existing infrastructure software, such as Active Directory.
Also still in beta is Forefront Security for Exchange Server 2007. Of course, Exchange Server 2007 is still in beta. This product will provide on-premise, server-level antivirus and antispam protection. You can get a copy of the Exchange beta, which includes the Forefront add-on, or you can download the Forefront product, if you already have the Exchange 2007 software.
Microsoft really wants you to believe it’s serious about security and wants you to look for the Forefront name when you’re looking to secure your network. It’s at least worth taking a look.
