EDITORS’ UPDATE, January 20, 2005
— Microsoft anticipates that the initial release of Network Access Protection will be delivered with Windows Server “Longhorn,” the next version of the Windows Server operating system, due to release in 2007. Information below regarding the timing of availability has been updated since original publication.
TORONTO, July 13, 2004 — In his keynote today at the Microsoft
®
Worldwide Partner Conference, Mike Nash, corporate vice president for Security Business and Technology Unit at Microsoft Corp., announced support from more than 25 industry partners for its Network Access Protection, an extensible standards-based technology that will enable users to more securely access their corporate network. In addition to enhancing the security for user access, the Network Access Protection technology will provide a more secure solution designed to reduce the complexity of network access for IT administrators. Scheduled for initial release with Windows Server “Longhorn” — the next version of the Windows Server operating system, due to release in 2007 — Network Access Protection technology will deliver a uniform method for detecting the “health state” of a client attempting to connect to a network, restricting the access until compliance to policy is validated and updating the client to current security policy levels.
“IT administrators have told us that managing user access to their corporate resources in a safe and secure manner is a major concern,” Nash said. “Network Access Protection has garnered broad industry support because it will help customers lower the cost of access management while simultaneously providing them with more control.”
“Juniper Networks is delighted to be working with Microsoft to integrate user, application and network policy and enforcement in a seamless manner,” said George Riedel, vice president of Strategy and Corporate Development at Juniper Networks Inc. “By working with Microsoft on Network Access Protection, we are furthering Juniper’s commitment to open, multivendor standards to facilitate more secure network user access so our customers can be assured of a trusted IT environment and user experience.”
Network Access Protection technologies allow IT professionals to monitor and control network access based on validation of a computer’s compliance to pre-established policies. Network access policies are defined and managed by network administrators and managed by a central “policy coordination server.” Network Access Protection technologies provide three distinct functionalities to help corporate IT administrators improve security of their network clients:
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Network policy validation determines whether a networked client machine is compliant with IT-defined network access policies at the point of network entry.
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Network restriction automatically restricts noncompliant client machines to a separate, restricted network where updates and utilities — for example, patch updates or virus signature updates — are available to bring the client back to the desired health state. This restricted network can also be used as a “guest access” network for users without proper network credentials where Internet access is still desirable.
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Network policy compliance gives the IT administrator the tools to bring noncompliant client machines back to a desired health state. The update and remediation process occurs while the client is isolated to the restricted network. Once the client machine has been updated, the client is automatically revalidated for network access.
Broad Industry Support
Network Access Protection is an extensible architecture based on industry-accepted standards. Today, more than 25 industry leaders including client security with anti-virus, firewall, intrusion detection and intrusion prevention vendors, patch management vendors, networking vendors and systems integrators announced their support for the Network Access Protection technology. Together, Microsoft and industry partners will develop a breadth of applications and end-to-end solutions for their customers
Network Access Protection industry partners include the following:
Client Security: Anti-Virus, Firewall, Intrusion Detection and Prevention Vendors
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Computer Associates
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Internet Security Systems Inc.
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McAfee
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Symantec
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Trend Micro
Connectivity Services
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iPass
Endpoint Policy Management/Enforcement
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ENDFORCE
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Pedestal Software
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SecureWave
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Sygate
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TruSecure Corp.
Management/Patch Management Vendors
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Altiris
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BigFix
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BindView
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Citrix
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HP
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LANDesk Software
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Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003
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Shavlik
Networking Vendors
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Enterasys
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Extreme Networks
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Foundry
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ProCurve Networking by HP
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Juniper Networks
Systems Integrators
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Avanade
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Capgemini
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HP
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PricewaterhouseCoopers
Availability
The initial release of Network Access Protection is scheduled to be delivered with Windows Server
“Longhorn,”
the next version of the Windows Server operating system, due to release in 2007. More information on Network Access Protection can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/nap/ .
About Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003 is a comprehensive, integrated and security-enhanced infrastructure designed to help customers reduce costs and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of IT operations. Building on Windows®
2000 family strengths, the new server platform helps customers extend existing resources while laying the foundation for building a next generation of connected applications that improve business productivity. Windows Server 2003 is the foundation for the Microsoft Windows Server System (TM) integrated server infrastructure, designed for building, deploying and operating agile business solutions. More information is available at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/ .
About Windows Server System
Microsoft Windows Server System is an integrated and interoperable server infrastructure that reduces IT complexity to enable IT professionals to deliver innovative solutions that meet the changing needs of business. With Windows Server 2003 at the foundation, Windows Server System is engineered from the ground up for XML Web services based on Microsoft .NET technologies to connect information, people, systems and devices. Based on a common software architecture that spans all facets of IT, from design, development and deployment through ongoing management and usage, Windows Server System provides comprehensive IT infrastructure for operations (security, systems management, networked storage), applications (data management and analysis, e-business), and information work (messaging, communications and collaboration). More information on Microsoft Windows Server System can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/ .
About Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference
Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference provides Microsoft’s partner community with access to key marketing and business strategies, leadership, and information regarding specific customer solutions designed to help partners succeed in the marketplace. Along with informative learning opportunities covering sales, marketing, services and technology, the Worldwide Partner Conference is an ideal setting for partners to garner valuable knowledge from their peers and from Microsoft. More information can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/partner/events/wwpartnerconference/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Microsoft, Windows Server, Windows and Windows Server System are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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