Microsoft touts Longhorn security

Article
06/17/2008

The company says that a better firewall, IPv6 support, better onboard encryption, and network access protection make Windows Server 2008's security a primary selling point.

Microsoft is pushing the improved security of its Windows Server 2008 software package as one of the primary reasons why business customers should upgrade to the long-awaited product refresh as quickly as possible.

Free IT resource

Virtualization TCO Calculator
Sponsored by BEA

[ Get the scoop on the entire Windows Server family in our special report ]

In addition to being fully designed under Microsoft's SDLC (security development lifecycle) initiative -- a program already credited with allowing Microsoft to ship its products with far fewer vulnerabilities than previous iterations -- Server 2008 has new features that should help customers address a range of important security issues, according to company officials.

Microsoft representatives claim that beefed-up firewall technology, support for the emerging IPv6 Internet protocol, improved onboard encryption and further integration with its Active Directory registry system, among other additions, represent a significant step forward for the release formerly-known as Longhorn in terms of its overall security standing.

The company has also finally delivered its NAP (network access protection) technology -- Microsoft's flavor of the access control tools identified more widely under the banner of NAC (network access control) -- that many security industry watchers have cited as a potential accelerant for device and user network authentication efforts.

Company officials said that the software maker was specifically set on defending the updated infrastructure technology against malware attacks while boosting ID and access control, adding encryption and document protection features, and enhancing the system's reporting and audit functions to handle compliance-related tasks.

Microsoft touts Longhorn security

Additional resources