We provide a significant range of security tools for use by organisations and at home at a great price - FREE!

The following list is from our complementary monthly 'Security Chronicles' publicaton available to enterprise customers.

• Microsoft Security Compliance Manager 2 (SCM 2) is a free tool to help achieve a secure, reliable, and centralized IT environment and access the latest security setting and configuration recommendations from Microsoft.
• Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 2.2 (MBSA 2.2) is an easy-to-use tool that helps small- and medium-sized businesses determine their security state in accordance with Microsoft security recommendations and offers specific remediation guidance. Improve your security management process by using MBSA 2.2 to detect common security misconfigurations and missing security updates on your computer systems.
• The Microsoft Security Assessment Tool 4.0 (MSAT 4.0) is a risk-assessment application designed to help organizations assess weaknesses in their current IT security environment, create a prioritized list of issues, and help provide specific guidance to minimize those risks. MSAT is an easy, cost-effective way to begin strengthening the security of your computing environment and your business.
• Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free, downloadable security tool that provides on-demand scanning and helps remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It works with your existing antivirus software.
• The Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) checks computers for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software and helps remove any infections found. When the detection and removal process is complete, the MSRT displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malware was detected and removed. Microsoft releases an updated version of this tool on the second Tuesday of each month.
• Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) can provide free, real-time protection against viruses and spyware for your home or small business with up to 10 PCs. MSE is free to consumers running genuine Windows and is designed to be simple to install and to run quietly in the background.
• Windows Defender is free software that protects computers against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software. The new Windows Defender Offline Beta can also help to remove hard to find malicious programs using definitions that recognize threats.

And not free, but well worth knowing about is our enterprise anti-malware solution that is managed through System Center Configuration Manager. Many customers have recently gained access to this as it is now part of our Core CAL license.

• Microsoft Forefront is available for protecting enterprise systems and businesses with more than 10 PCs. There are several versions of Microsoft Forefront offering comprehensive solutions for protection on premises and in the cloud.

Be safe out there!

If you’re a big fan of VMware, I apologise (but this really has to be shared – you’d be a fool not to look into these price comparisons).

Microsoft’s Private Cloud Licensing

• unlimited Windows
• unlimited VM
•  unlimited System Center 2012 Datacenter Edition which includes
• Operations Manager
• Configuration Manager
• Data Protection Manager
• Service Manager
• Virtual Machine Manager
• Endpoint Protection
• Orchestrator
• App Controller

…for $5,056 per processor.

VMware’s Private Cloud Licensing

>> $6617 per processor with an additional $4730 for each VM <<

Apples vs. Oranges

Details are here.

Enjoy explaining to your boss why you think VMware is better!

I would like to invite you to attend this Private Cloud online event

The definition, business value, and technology benefits of the "the cloud" have been hotly debated in recent months. Most agree that cloud computing can accelerate innovation, reduce costs, and increase business agility in the market. In 2012, cloud computing will transition from hype and discussion, to part of every enterprise's reality, and IT is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation and help business reap the benefits of cloud computing.
To help you get real-world answers, I'd like to invite you to an interactive virtual event designed to help you explore your cloud options. Plus, you'll be among the first to hear the latest private cloud news from Microsoft.

Transforming IT with Microsoft Private Cloud
Tuesday 17 January 2012
16:30-18:30 (Ireland Time)

Here's what we have planned:

• Hear from other senior IT professionals about how cloud computing can help you gain maximum competitive advantage with minimal risk.

• Learn about Microsoft cloud offerings, including private, public,
and hybrid cloud models.

• Experience Microsoft private cloud solutions through the
Microsoft Technology Centre.

Best regards,

Due to popular demand, Hyper-V Immersion comes to Belfast

Hyper-V Immersion

More and more customers are turning to Hyper-V as their first choice for virtualisation.

Come along and find out why; Hyper-V has grown up a lot over the last three years and now includes the core functionality you need to meet your business and technical requirements.

This session is a unique presentation that builds on your existing experience with virtualisation (regardless of hypervisor) and will equip you with up to date skills through in-depth, advanced, real world training that is not available anywhere else!

As a standalone, one day immersion into Hyper-V or as the first step towards certification from Microsoft Ireland, this is a not to miss opportunity!

Agenda

• A history of Hyper-V and a glimpse into the future
• Hyper-V Architecture and Features
• Building a stable and reliable Hyper-V infrastructure
• Advanced topics: High Availability, Live Migration, Dynamic Memory & Linux Guests

Presenters: Aidan Finn (MicroWarehouse) and Dave Northey (Microsoft Ireland)

Audience: Infrastructure Specialists, IT Decision Makers, IT Generalists, IT Implementers, Administrators, Consultants, Technical Support.

Timing: We will run the workshop from 9.30am until 5.00pm - please aim to be there for 9:00 for registration, tea & coffee.

Location: BMC Titanic Quarter Campus is located in central Belfast on the banks of the River Lagan, within walking distance of the City Centre. The Campus can be easily accessed by foot, road and rail. Parking is available in the basement carpark for a fee of £1 per hour.

Registration: http://hypervimmersion.eventbrite.com/

See you on the 7th

Should you be concerned about your Online Reputation?

56% of Adults surveyed don’t actively think about the consequences of their online activities.

21% were fired from a job because of their online reputation and 16% lost out on getting a job because of it.

This Saturday (January 28th) is Data Privacy Day

Held annually on January 28th, Data Privacy Day (DPD) aims to increase awareness of privacy and data protection issues among consumers, organizations, and government officials. DPD helps industry, academia, and advocates to highlight consumer privacy efforts.

Microsoft commissioned some great research that included 500 Irish Adults and 500 Irish Children.

The results are very interesting – and are summarised in a neat little video.

As are the associated resources that are published along with the survey.

Take Charge of Your Online Reputation is a really good two pager that highlights what the problem is and what you can do about it.

So, let’s all spend some time this Saturday thinking about the data privacy issues that affect us.  If you’ve got kids online, then they really need a helping hand.