Microsoft delves deeper into security
Microsoft is pushing ahead with its security business, with a raft of new funding for its Forefront business security products and an updated version of its controversial OneCare suite.
The software giant has traditionally focused on desktop software, but it is now broadening its focus with the aim of helping businesses secure their IT systems.
On Wednesday, the company announced a $50m (£24m) boost for Forefront, with cash earmarked for sales, marketing, training and other support.
Forefront, a portfolio of security products for Windows servers and clients, launched last year, has been criticised by rival security vendors, such as Symantec, which has accused Microsoft of lacking innovation in its security portfolio.
Microsoft has defended its product, with security and access partner marketing director Mark Hassall claiming that partners in the security industry had "been quick to recognise the opportunities inherent with selling Forefront".
"Many of our partners are deeply involved in providing security assessments and architectural guidance and are already leveraging the infrastructure optimisation model to deliver more secure and well-managed infrastructure solutions based on Forefront and [the server management product line] System Center," said Hassall on Wednesday. "There are lots of opportunities to attach Forefront to infrastructure solutions, for example securing Exchange and SharePoint deployments, where Forefront offers greater protection and control through integration with customers' existing IT infrastructure."
On Thursday Microsoft continued its renewed security push with the beta release of Windows Live OneCare 2.0. OneCare, a subscription-based antivirus service better suited to consumers and small businesses, attracted controversy in 2006 and earlier this year when it failed to achieve certification in several independent tests of security products and was subsequently found to be accidentally deleting some users' emails. Those incidents even led one Microsoft executive, European business security product manager Arno Edelmann, to concede that the product had been released with "bits and pieces" missing.
That situation has since changed, with both OneCare and Forefront achieving certification last month in the VB100 malware detection test.
The OneCare 2.0 beta introduces consumer-oriented features, such as multi-PC and home network management, but also small business features, like centralised local backup. According to Microsoft, a new "proactive fixes and recommendations" feature will also boost performance by examining the configuration of the user's system and making relevant fixes and recommendations.