Microsoft has begun publishing a new "Security Newsletter" once a month. The newsletter includes security tips and articles from Microsoft experts as well as announcements of security-oriented Webcasts, security FAQs, and other useful security news.
Interested security specialists and administrators can subscribe to the Microsoft Security Newsletter for free. Volume 1 No. 1 of the newsletter is already available online and it covered a number of interesting subjects. One notable inclusion was the article, -Beyond Security Patching," written by Microsoft's senior director of the Security Business Unit, Jeff Jones. He discusses the new strategies Microsoft will employ to reduce the number of patches required.
In this article, Jones explains that the Trustworthy Computing initiative has already greatly reduced the number and severity of patches, and that the new service pack structure, will include lockdown features to make patches less necessary. But mostly this article directs readers to -Understanding Patch and Update Management: Microsoft's Software Update Strategy," which was published in October. This is a white paper explaining Microsoft's current strategy and is probably most useful for administrators new to the IT field or for copying and distributing to staff members or upper management executives who aren't familiar with the security challenges that you face.
The newsletter also includes a brief look at the concept of rights management and why administrators should consider the use of Windows Rights Management Services in Windows Server 2003 and Office Suite 2003 to reduce administrative overhead while improving information security.
Although security specialists who are immersed in the IT security field full time will probably learn nothing new from the Microsoft Security Newsletter, it is a useful publication for those who are too busy to follow security developments on a daily basis either because their networks are already well-protected or because security isn't their primary duty.
Because it is relatively brief, relying on links for most of the content, glancing over this once-monthly report can be a good way to make certain you haven't missed anything, as well as a quick way to see what upcoming Webcasts may be of interest.
TechRepublic is the online community and information resource for all IT professionals, from support staff to executives. We offer in-depth technical articles written for IT professionals by IT professionals. In addition to articles on everything from Windows to e-mail to firewalls, we offer IT industry analysis, downloads, management tips, discussion forums, and e-newsletters.
©2004 TechRepublic, Inc.
1%
4%
