Microsoft strengthens security, management product lines

The recently released Microsoft Forefront and System Center brands will enable Microsoft to deliver deeper integration into systems by helping customers simplify security management, improve the productivity of IT professionals, and more closely align IT to the needs of their business.

This is according to Manoj Bhoola, server and tools business group executive at Microsoft South Africa.

"Keeping systems secure is an ongoing concern for every organisation. One important aspect of this is protecting the corporate network from outside threats. Yet, blocking all incoming traffic is not a workable solution as legitimate users must still have a way of accessing the system," says Bhoola.

"Then there is the continuing challenge of combating all the different kinds of malware in circulation today. Keeping threats that include viruses, spyware, Trojans, and other current and emerging threats off the network has become the primary part of systems security," continues Bhoola.

Microsoft Forefront Client Security is designed to do exactly that. It delivers visibility to threats and vulnerabilities through centralised management, and integrates with System Center solutions, Active Directory services, and other Microsoft technologies.

"This enables you to more efficiently protect the information resources of your company and secure access to applications and servers. With highly responsive protection supported by Microsoft technical guidance, Forefront helps you to confidently meet ever-changing threats and increased business demands," says Bhoola.

However, security and systems management do not operate independently of one another.

"Both security and systems management are fundamental to keep an IT infrastructure running. Solving the real problems that confront organisations today, commonly requires addressing both areas," says Bhoola.

Systems management and security are both important areas. Microsoft is addressing these areas with a distinct product family - System Center for management, Forefront for security.

"Going forward, Microsoft will make the connection between these two technology families tighter still. Using a single agent for both System Center Operations Manager and Forefront Client Security would make sense. While distinctions will remain, the convergence of systems management and systems security technology looks to be unstoppable," concludes Bhoola.