Microsoft ramps up commitment to security
Microsoft ramps up commitment to security
Microsoft has provided further details of its plans to release Network Access Protection as a solution to block viruses from entering the network and corrupting desktops.
The strategy was released at the annual Worldwide Partner Conference held this week in Toronto.
Network Access Protection consists of a set of technologies for creating a standards-based, multi-vendor process to ensure that desktops are secure before allowing network access.
Mike Nash, corporate vice president of Microsoft's security business and technology unit, said. "Network Access Protection is a solution based on an extensible, standards-based architecture. It allows customers anywhere to access their corporate network and presents an opportunity for the industry to work together to better secure the corporate network.
"It will be available in the next release of Windows Server 2003 (codenamed "R2") and will also provide system administrators with the ability to monitor and control computer access based on compliance policies for accessing the network.
"Twenty-five industry leaders in anti-virus software, patch-management and systems management are working together with Microsoft to deliver end-to-end solutions for customers."
The technology will check for virus signatures and patch levels. Those that do not pass a health test will be put into an isolation area where they are updated to comply with policies before they can be allowed to gain access to the network.
But Nash believes that technology alone will not make the Internet safer. Microsoft is aiming to provide guidance, education and training and has set a goal to train 500,000 IT professionals worldwide on security best practices by the end of the year.
Through the Global Infrastructure Alliance for Internet Safety, Microsoft will work with an alliance of service providers formed this year to help educate and protect customers.
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