News
ISA 2006 Beta Bows
- By Stuart J. Johnston
- February 09, 2006
Microsoft is shipping the first beta of Internet Security and Acceleration
Server (ISA) 2006, as well as early select customer betas of its Microsoft Client
Protection and Microsoft Antigen for Exchange products.
ISA Server 2006 will provide an integrated application layer firewall with
VPN, proxy and Web-caching. "ISA Server 2006 includes a comprehensive tool
set for publishing Exchange and SharePoint servers and extensions to Windows
Server 2003 R2 for streamlined security and connectivity in corporate branch
offices," says a Microsoft statement.
Microsoft Client Protection is designed to protect business desktops, laptops
and servers from emerging threats such as spyware and rootkits, as well as viruses
and other traditional attacks, according to the statement. It features an integrated
management console that provides centralized control and reporting. And it ties
into existing Microsoft IT infrastructure including Active Directory and other
software distribution systems. A full-featured public beta is planned for the
third quarter, with final shipment by the end of the year.
Microsoft also introduced a small beta release of its Antigen tools. Acquired
with Sybari last year, they're designed to provide server-level protection for
messaging and collaboration environments. Microsoft Antigen for Exchange, Antigen
for SMTP Gateways, Antigen Spam Manager and Antigen Enterprise Manager are the
first Microsoft-branded versions of the former Sybari products. The Antigen
tools are set to ship within six months.
About the Author
Stuart J. Johnston has covered technology, especially Microsoft, since February 1988 for InfoWorld, Computerworld, Information Week, and PC World, as well as for Enterprise Developer, XML & Web Services, and .NET magazines.