Microsoft to launch enterprise security suite

The company's Forefront Client Security software, including antivirus, anti-malware and anti-spyware elements, will launch in the next few months, while the Microsoft Malware Protection Centre has already gone live. 

However, Redmond denied that the initiatives are designed to edge out rival security products from companies such as Symantec and McAfee.

"The first thing I say to every customer is that realistically it doesn't matter which technology solution you use as long as you use something," said Nick McGrath, head of platform strategy at Microsoft.

"Customers have flexibility of choice when it comes to security products and I'm looking for a healthy security ecosystem with lots of competition and lots of choice for customers."

McGrath said that a competitive marketplace will force other technology vendors to build better products and better services for customers.

Forefront Client Security is based on Microsoft's OneCare, which has had some problems with false positives. The software has yet to pass a test by the respected Virus Bulletin labs to be cleared as completely secure.

"It is unfortunate that we missed the leading VB100 test, but we will go for the VB100 test again when it comes around in a few months," said Gopal Kutwaroo, security product manager at Microsoft UK. "But we are accredited by the East ICSA labs and the West Coast labs."

McGrath claimed that the Microsoft Malware Protection Centre had been set up to ensure that Microsoft had an insight and understanding into what is actually happening in the marketplace.

"Obviously the malware being produced is coming from anywhere in the world, so we now have a 24/7 global response that we are putting in place," he said.

"It is an integrated response including our research labs, our original laboratories in Redmond which have been taking on a 24/7 remit today, but now they are going to be supported by additional labs in Japan and in Ireland."

McGrath said that Microsoft is now looking to hire the very best security industry professionals to staff the operation.

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