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Forefront codename “Stirling” is an integrated security system that delivers comprehensive, coordinated protection across endpoints, messaging and collaboration applications, and the network edge that is easier to manage and control.
At release, “Stirling” will include:
A single management console and dashboard for security configuration and enterprise-wide visibility.
The next-generation versions of Forefront Client Security, Forefront Security for Exchange Server, Forefront Security for SharePoint, and Internet Security and Acceleration Server (to be renamed Forefront Threat Management Gateway).
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“Stirling” provides better protection by automatically responding to security threats at multiple layers in the organization, enabling IT to save time while proactively securing the environment.
Through a single console and dashboard, “Stirling” delivers simplified management and critical visibility into threats, vulnerabilities, and configuration risks, helping you to reduce costs while gaining greater insight into your security state.
By integrating with your existing infrastructure software, such as Active Directory, System Center, and Network Access Protection, Forefront codename “Stirling” reduces complexity.
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“Stirling” provides central management for the Forefront products, but as an integrated security system, Forefront codename “Stirling” is also more than just a management console. It includes next-generation Forefront protection technologies which work together, share security information, and take automatic action together for better protection.
“Stirling” breaks the siloed approach to enterprise security by integrating comprehensive, next-generation protection technologies across the IT environment: anti-malware, host firewall, anti-spam, content filtering, multi-engine protection for messaging and collaboration servers, network edge protection, and others.
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Forefront codename “Stirling” is targeted at any midsize to large organizations interested in a solution that delivers comprehensive, coordinated protection, while simplifying management and enabling critical visibility into threats, vulnerabilities, and configuration risks.
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This public beta release is a first look at the “Stirling” integrated security system. It includes first betas of:
The “Stirling” management console for security configuration and enterprise-wide visibility.
The next generation of Forefront Client Security.
The next generation of Forefront Security for Exchange Server.
The next generation of Forefront Security for SharePoint.
The next generation of Internet Security and Acceleration Server, to be renamed Forefront Threat Management Gateway.
With this beta release, Forefront Client Security and Forefront Security for Exchange Server are integrated into the “Stirling” management console. The remaining products will be integrated in the future.
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Dynamic response is a key feature in the “Stirling” integrated security system. It allows the entire system to share security information and to use that information to dynamically respond to security threats across multiple layers of the organization.
Today, organizations typically deploy a variety of security solutions across their enterprise, yet still suffer from the same security issues. These issues are often the result of security solutions operating in isolation and not working with each other. Organizations in this situation have to constantly react to security issues, and to spend a lot of time looking for and implementing manual fixes using multiple security products.
By sharing and using security information across the IT environment, “Stirling” and dynamic response help IT to save time, while proactively securing the environment.
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Customers will be able to buy Forefront “Stirling” as a suite of integrated products. Current customers will have an easy upgrade and migration path to “Stirling.” In addition, customers under subscription or Software Assurance for existing Forefront products will have rights to the future version of that product.
Additional details on the licensing and pricing of “Stirling” will be available at a later date.
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Yes. Individual Forefront products will also continue to be available for purchase. Customers under subscription or Software Assurance for existing Forefront products will have rights to the future version of that product. Customers purchasing Forefront products today will also have an easy upgrade and migration path to “Stirling.”
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You can take a first look at “Stirling” today by downloading the public beta. Forefront codename “Stirling” is expected to be generally available in the first half of 2009.
