Microsoft Exec Talks Forefront Program

REDMOND, Wash. -- Security is a topic that is always top of mind for businesses, and an issue that doesn’t lend itself to one-size-fits all solutions. Finding smart, cost-effective ways to ensure that corporate data is kept secure, and applications designed to do business with partners and customers are effective, private and safe are key to many company’s success. As such, companies often turn to specialist security partners for assistance to find the right way to address issues.

The Microsoft Forefront family of security products has been designed to provide an integrated, comprehensive and simplified way to address the myriad security issues for businesses. Microsoft has worked with industry partners to help bring these solutions to customers, and works closely to ensure the product line addresses key security concerns for customers, from the deepest levels of security for applications to the network edge.

Along with evolving its product line, Microsoft has also been working to develop its business relationship with these industry partners that are so critical to the success of its security products. In July of 2007, Microsoft announced a US$50 million investment in support for its security business based on the Forefront line of security solutions – including enhancements to its partner programs. The investment is part of Microsoft’s effort to respond to the changing security environment where customers are finding it difficult to efficiently deploy and manage a multiplicity of security solutions. Today, Microsoft announced a series of initiatives designed to further aid channel partners in designing effective, profitable business models while working with their customers to stay on top of the ever-changing security landscape.

Microsoft Security Partners on the Security Partner Program“Our security business has really taken off in the past 6 months since joining the Security Software Advisor program. Customers are asking us to include security into the new technologies we’re helping them implement rather than adding security after the technology has already been implemented.”

- Rich Dorfman, vice president of sales and service for Convergent Computing

”We’ve been very pleased with the Security Solutions Competency program, as this has been a key differentiator for us in competitive situations. The training and support we received from Microsoft really got our sales people and consultants up to speed quickly so that we have been extremely successful expanding our security services and security business to our clients.”

- Chris Lavelle, vice president of Idea Integration

Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT)