Microsoft Moves Into Desktop, Server SecurityMicrosoft Moves Into Desktop, Server Security

Microsoft if muscling into the security market, taking on the likes of CA, McAfee, and Symantec with the Forefront security suite of products it unveiled last week.

The new products include anti-virus and anti-spyware for the client, two server security products, and a product that sits on the edge of the network. It's an important first step for the company. But it will be some time before it's in a position to own the security market, says Rob Enderle, president and principal analyst of the Enderle Group.

Forefront Client Security, a product designed to protect business desktops, laptops, and server operating systems from viruses and spyware, is available in public beta, Bob Muglia, senior VP of Microsoft's server and tools business told the audience at the TechEd: IT Forum 2006 in Barcelona, Spain. It's expected to be released to manufacturing in the second quarter of next year.

Microsoft is launching two server security products, Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server and Microsoft Forefront Security for SharePoint. Both are in public beta and slated to be available in December.

Microsoft also is launching new application optimization features for the Intelligent Application Gateway, a remote-access offering that combines SSL-based application access, a Web application firewall, and end-point security management. The company also rolled out an updated Microsoft SharePoint Portal Optimizer and a new Microsoft Dynamics CRM Optimizer. These are designed to provide customized, policy-based access, content inspection, and improved performance for secure remote access to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 and Microsoft SharePoint products and technologies.