Microsoft Brands Security Products Forefront

The creamy white filling in Microsoft's security Oreo is in place, but the crunchy black cookies aren't ready for primetime, and won't be until sometime in 2007. Microsoft's security roadmap shows that desktop protection will be offered by something called Forefront Client Security, which will be a different animal from the company's consumer-oriented security offerings like Windows Defender. Though it will it incorporate technology from the consumer products, Forefront Client Security is supposed to feature the robust administration, configuration, and reporting tools necessary in an enterprise environment.

For the edge of the network, Microsoft is prepping an update to its Internet Security and Acceleration Server, but the product won't be ready until the second half of 2007. ISA Server will continue to function as both a gateway for small businesses and branch offices, and it will also enable secure, remote access to corporate data and applications.