Security top on Microsoft's agenda

NEW DELHI: Microsoft Corporation has reassured its developer community that the issue of security is top on its agenda and the company is doing its best to fortify its products from virus attacks and security breaches.

Speaking on the sidelines of TechEd 2004 in New Delhi, technical specialist at Microsoft Corporation India Bobby Davasia said that Windows server 2003 is now being equipped with latest security features like network quarantine, IPSec (IP based security) and Internet Communication Firewall (ICF).

"Windows XP and Windows server 2003 help stop network based attachments by blocking all unsolicited traffic. The network based quarantine service with MS server 2003 helps in extending RRAS functionality by enabling quarantine process and keeping a tab on the network traffic much before it enters into a network," he added.

In its bid to address issues like Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), data encryption and digital rights management, Microsoft has incorporated its server 2003 with added features in the areas of authorization, authentication and patch management.

"We have incorporated capabilities to manage PKI solutions for the enterprise segment. Software restriction policies embedded with our server will help customers in improving on the security front as all the unnecessary software will be restricted," Davasia explained.

Moving forward, the company is working towards integrating LAN based quarantine capabilities to its server. "Our RAS based quarantine capability was developed at the Hyderabad development center and now we are working on incorporating LAN based quarantine capability to our product," he informed.