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Microsoft Code-name Alert: Springboard

Microsoft has a new code-named project for security called "Springboard" that's designed to harden products already on the market.

The term surfaced following Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's speech to partners last week. The first Springboard work is going into the security hardening of Windows XP in Service Pack 2, due out next year, and Windows Server 2003 in Service Pack 1, due out sometime later.

Those hardening efforts will include the changing of defaults, such as default installation of the Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP, and new features, such as client inspections by Windows Server 2003 to guard against security problems introduced by mobile computers.

But the Springboard project will go beyond operating systems, Microsoft officials say. Stan Sorensen, director of product marketing for SQL Server, confirms that SQL Server 2000 will go through the process. The date for a Springboard-related deliverable for SQL hasn't yet been determined. "We're pushing aggressively to make sure that we've got the timing down," Sorensen said.

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

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