Exchange Forefront Security Beta Released with E2007 Beta 2
The first beta release of Forefront Security for Exchange Server accompanied today's release of Exchange 2007 beta 2. Forefront Security for Exchange Server is Microsoft's first serious foray of what is commonly known as email hygiene services. (At a basic level, email hygiene refers to anti-spam, anti-virus, content filtering and a policy engine). Ultimately, a fully developed Forefront Security for Exchange Server feature set will challenge the viability of third-party email security products for Exchange.
Microsoft wisely acquired strong email hygiene player, Sybari, in 2005. Sybari's Antigen line of products is a core component of the umbrella Microsoft Forefront Security framework.
Integrated security services such as filtering technology across email, voice mail and fax and message encryption will provide a secure-enough Exchange environment to motivate existing Exchange shops to migrate to 2007.
In tandem, the email security market is in its early states of morphing into its next generation, i.e., as part of a Unified Threat Management (UTM) or Message Management solution set.
The majority of email management point products, as applied to hygiene security and compliance, will sunset over the next three years -- during which time Microsoft will continue to enhance its Forefront Security for Exchange Server.
See also Microsoft Takes Security To The Forefront for information on Microsoft Forefront Security.