Today the team delivered the anticipated Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010 (FEP) public beta to customers.  The successor of Forefront Client Security is built on System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007 R2, allowing customers to use their existing client management infrastructure to deploy and manage endpoint protection.

The end result? Customers will save capital costs on roll-out and also reduce training costs because administrators won't have to learn yet another management user interface.

FEP supports Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and all subsequent versions of the Windows client and server operating systems. Other new features include:

• New Antivirus Engine.  Highly accurate and efficient threat detection protects against the latest malware and rootkits with low false positive rate.  
• New behavioral threat detection.  Protection against "unknown" or "zero day" threats provided through behavior monitoring, emulation, and dynamic translation. 
• Windows Firewall management.  Ensures Windows Firewall is active and working properly on all endpoints, and allows administrators to more easily manage firewall protections across the enterprise.
• Dynamic Cloud Updates. On-demand signature updates from the cloud for suspicious files and previously unknown malware

If you are using System Center currently, you can download the SCCM 2007 R2 trial to understand the features and functionality that it provides to administrators for FEP trial purposes. 

We will announce pricing and licensing at a later date and the final product is on track to be available in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Download the Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010 beta here and let us know what you think.  Need more information? Check out the Microsoft Forefront homepage and watch the TechNet Edge video below.

Microsoft Acquires Komoku

Microsoft strengthens anti-malware protection with leading-edge rootkit detection provider.

REDMOND, Wash. — March 20, 2008 — Today Microsoft Corp. announced it has acquired Maryland-based Komoku Inc., a provider of advanced rootkit security detection solutions. Microsoft expects to add Komoku’s functionality into upcoming versions of the Forefront line of enterprise security products and Windows Live OneCare, Microsoft’s all-in-one PC care solution.

“Komoku has been a leader in the area of rootkit detection, doing work for ultra security-conscious customers such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Defense (DOD),” said Ryan Hamlin, general manager, Access and Security Division, Server and Tools Business at Microsoft. “Komoku’s cutting-edge expertise and technology will benefit our customers by adding to the robust protection of our anti-malware solutions and help maintain our leading position in anti-malware research and development.”

Founded in 2004, Komoku offers advanced rootkit detection. Rootkits are malicious software programs that are designed to take control of a computer’s operating system at the administrator, or root, level, where they can often hide from detection by standard anti-malware software. Komoku’s customers have included a number of high-security government agencies, including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the U.S. Navy, the DHS and the DOD.

“I’m excited about the Komoku team joining Microsoft and building on our successes in detecting sophisticated rootkits for customers,” said William A. Arbaugh, president and CTO of Komoku as well as an associate professor of computer science at the University of Maryland at College Park and a renowned expert on rootkits. “Microsoft’s commitment to building the next generation of malware detection is very strong, and we at Komoku look forward to continuing the tremendous progress Microsoft has already made in the anti-malware space and building the anti-malware products that can handle today’s sophisticated threats.”

The Komoku name and product line will eventually be retired as the company winds down its affairs after closing. The majority of Komoku’s staff will join Microsoft in the Access and Security Division. Financial terms of the acquisition were not announced. The deal was completed March 19, 2008.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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