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Microsoft Announces Security Alliance

“We have heard from business customers that they want protection from viruses, spyware and other malware threats with a single solution"

Microsoft today announced they will release their own antivirus and anti spyware solutions.

Steve Ballmer, Chief Executive Officer at Microsoft and Mike Nash, corporate vice president of the Security Technology Unit, outlined Microsoft's companywide strategy and product road map for helping secure the breadth of its customers from home PC users and businesses of all sizes.

As part of their security strategy, focusing on defense-in-depth approach, Ballmer announced the upcoming release for Microsoft Client Protection - a solution to help protect business desktops, laptops and file servers.

The company also announced the creation of the SecureIT Alliance, which will further enable participating security partners to integrate their solution on Microsoft platforms.

"At Microsoft, we're investing heavily in security because we want customers to be able to trust their computing experiences, so they can realize the full benefits of the interconnected world we live in," Ballmer said.

"With the continuing onslaught of malware, viruses, phishing attacks and other kinds of Internet fraud, creating a more secure computing environment requires a concerted, long-term effort on the part of all technology companies, as well as customers and governments."

"Customers are telling us what our research shows: the nature and complexity of online threats and attacks are continuing to evolve, and hackers, thieves and pirates are getting more sophisticated," Nash said.

"At Microsoft, we believe customers have the right to know what software is running on their machine, how it got there, its purpose and how to remove it if necessary. To help our customers combat the evolving threats and to have those rights protected, we are taking a holistic approach to security that includes developing new technology, partnering with the industry, and keeping customers as educated as possible about how to stay ahead of the latest threats facing them."

They also spoke of three key areas in fighting threats:

- the built-in level of safety and security, including the security of software code and investments in technologies that help keep software updated and more secure throughout its life cycle,

- threat and vulnerability mitigation, talking about their upcoming security technologies,

- identity and access control, allowing users to easily access information but making it more difficult for unauthorized attempts.

"We have heard from business customers that they want protection from viruses, spyware and other malware threats with a single solution. Backed by a global research system, Microsoft Client Protection will address this need with one solution that combines proven protection technology with integrated management and reporting capabilities," Nash said.

An integrated management console puts IT professionals in control of their environment, and prioritized reports and alerts help focus resources on critical issues. Microsoft Client Protection will integrate with existing IT infrastructure, such as Active Directory® and existing software distribution systems, helping to reduce deployment time and maximize value.

The product is currently in development and Microsoft plans to make an early beta of the product available to select customers later this year. Pricing and licensing will be announced at a later date.