When it comes to security, things just keep getting better and better for Microsoft security admins. With each iteration of the Windows client and server, we see more security features, and each security feature is more scalable and easier to administer.
Indeed, if you look at the vast improvements and additions to Microsoft platform security and the ever growing stable of Forefront security products, Microsoft has worked hard to earn the right to be called a major security company.
With that in mind, you might be wondering what Microsoft has ready for us in terms of security for the upcoming Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. While these products have great security stories in and of themselves, it’s the “Better Together” story where MS security really starts to shine.
What are the major Better Together features? Consider these:
- Direct Access – extend your corporate network and managed devices to anywhere in the world. No longer worry about managed devices being outside of IT management controls
- RemoteApp and Remote Desktop – take advantage of presentation virtualization to gain total, centralized control of user desktop and data experiences. And with RDP 7.0, users will benefit from the security advantages of presentation virtualization while retaining the rich client side execution experience for advanced graphics and video support
- AppLocker – while Software Restriction Policies seemed like a good idea, how many of you actually used them? With AppLocker, you’ll be able to get the benefits of Software Restriction Policies without the complexity and hassle.
- Better BitLocker – while SP1 extended the security of BitLocker to non-system partitions, with the new and improved version of BitLocker you’ll be able to take advantage of BitLocker To Go. This will enable you to encrypt removable devices. Nice!
For more information about the security advantages of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008, check out Deb Shinder’s article at:
http://www.windowsecurity.com/articles/Windows-Server-2008-R2-Windows-7-More-Secure-Together.html
HTH,
Tom
Thomas W Shinder, M.D., MCSE
Sr. Consultant / Technical Writer
Prowess Consulting www.prowessconsulting.com
PROWESS CONSULTING | Microsoft Forefront Security Specialist
Email: [email protected]
MVP – Forefront Edge Security (ISA/TMG/IAG)