By Natalie Shamshoum
So not only has Microsoft just launched OneCare (careful how you say it), its security solution for home users, it's now also after a slice of the enterprise security pie. Named Forefront, this new offering - intended to launch next year - consists of anti-virus and anti-spyware tools designed to secure enterprise networks. However, just days after news of ForeFront, we hear that Microsoft has issued the largest bundle of new security updates and patches for over a year - addressing a total of 21 vulnerabilities in its own software products.
This doesn't exactly bode well for Forefront, does it?
While OneCare will undoubtedly do well with consumers (probably by aggressively undercutting offerings from McAfee and Symantec), Forefront could well be on shaky ground in the enterprise space, where security solutions have to be fast, supportive and responsive - and not be full of holes that need constant patching.
Microsoft could also be a victim of its 'me, myself and I' attitude. IT professionals need their security solutions to cater for several operating systems, such as Apple Mac and Unix, something that Microsoft just isn't interested in. And what of protecting users of Windows 98, which can still be found in most schools? No - Microsoft won't cater for this either, since that wouldn't encourage people to upgrade.
Admittedly Microsoft is a company to be applauded for the many great things it's done, including its attempts to sharpen its security image. However, my concern is that you can't be all things to all people. I just can't see Forefront being the security of choice for today's enterprises, which already face an increasingly complex threat environment - the last thing they need is yet another buggy Micosoft product to add to their woes.
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