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Microsoft Finds Need For Trust Ecosystem
David Utter
Staff Writer
2006-10-25
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A Microsoft executive speaking at the RSA Conference Europe 2006 called for the computer security industry to help build a "trust ecosystem" for computing environments.
 | | "Trust Ecosystem?" |  |
Microsoft's Security Technology Unit Corporate VP Ben Fathi said in Nice, France, that Vista's much-discussed security features provide an "important opportunity" for the security industry to deliver a safer computing experience to PC users.
The company has been on the receiving end of complaints from firms like McAfee and Symantec for its PatchGuard and Kernel Patch Protection technologies. Microsoft dismissed those complaints, saying it would develop ways for third-party security vendors to work with Vista.
The trust ecosystem Fathi described echoed similar comments made by Bill Gates in February at RSA Conference 2006 US. "A "trust ecosystem" is an environment that engenders trust and accountability between code, people, organizations and devices," according to Fathi.
He described the path Microsoft has taken to address these four points, summarized here:
Code. He announced the general availability of Windows Defender for English-language versions of Windows XP, and that the free anti-spyware solution that will be part of Vista when it ships.
People. Microsoft Certificate Lifecycle Manager (CLM) is in a beta 2 version now. Fathi described it as a solution that can help lower the costs associated with digital certificates and smart cards by enabling organizations to more efficiently maintain a certificate-based infrastructure.
Organizations. The Sender ID Framework specification for e-mail authentication is now available under Microsoft's Open Specification Promise. Fathi said more than 5 million domains worldwide use Sender ID to help fight spam.
Devices. Fathi referenced Microsoft Network Access Protection, a policy enforcement platform built into Windows Vista and Windows Server. The platform interoperates with Cisco Network Admission Control, which Fathi called an important milestone in an ongoing relationship between the two industry leaders.
Fathi also discussed Internet Explorer 7, the latest version of Microsoft's web browser. He said more than three million downloads of IE7 have taken place in the first four days of its English language release. Versions in several European languages should be available starting next week.
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Tag: Microsoft
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About the Author:
David Utter is a business and technology writer for SecurityProNews and WebProNews.
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