Sealing Security Issues

Microsofts biggest server release in five years happened in February when
Windows Server 2008 became available. Windows Server 2008 boasts many new
features that expand beyond its predecessor (Windows Server 2003), and includes
built-in Web and virtualization technologies and more.

To date, reviews of Windows Server 2008 appear to be highly favorable, citing
the new features that system administrators of small and mid-sized businesses
will enjoy. Here are a few highlights of Windows Server 2008:

• Windows Server 2008 is built on the same code base as the Vista, so there
  is a lot of common functionality and architecture.
• The server manager utility provides a central control panel for all the
  important features and roles that the OS supports.
• Server core strips the OS down to a single function, command line server
  OS. This pared down version of the OS has eight different rolesfile, print,
  Web, virtualization, ADDS, storage, DHCP and DNSand dramatically cuts down
  patching time.
• PowerShell provides an intuitive environment for IT administration and
  makes it easier to automate functions and extract information.
  
  

Protect your Business

According to industry analyst IDC, by the end of this year, there will be
more than 3.5 mn installations worldwide of Windows Server 2008. If your
business is going to be among those making the upgrade, then you will need to
find a way to ensure that your new OS environment will be effectively managed,
secured, and recoverable. Despite the fact that Microsoft has stated Windows
Server 2008 to be the most advanced and secure server operating system that
they have ever released, the burden still remains on small and mid-sized
businesses to:

Manage: Set up new software, manage the OS environment, monitor for
and apply new patches

Secure: Protect data against spam, virus and unknown vulnerabilities

Recover: Employ tools to aid recovery from any type and size of
disaster.

Comprehensive Solutions

Standardizing your business management, security, and recovery solutions is
the best way to ensure that new and existing Windows systems are protected.
Symantec has delivered certified solutions on the Windows Server platform for
decades and is now releasing improved management, security, and recovery
software for Windows Server 2008.

Manage: Symantecs management solutions enable SMBs to meet the
growing demands on IT services and manage information growth and infrastructure
complexity. Manual processes are automated throughout the entire data center
lifecycle, lowering overall operating costs. Symantecs Altiris Client and
Server Management solutions help IT increase efficiency while reducing
complexity, downtime, and costs.

Secure: Symantecs Endpoint Security solution offers proven,
world-class protection without added resource burden. The solution enables
businesses to efficiently manage security for all its endpoints and gain
confidence about assets and business operations being protectedall while
controlling costs.

Recover: Backup and recovery solutions from Symantec provide
consistent, reliable protection of system and data while simplifying recovery.

If early reviews are any indicator, then Microsofts new Windows Server 2008
will become a popular OS environment for businesses in the coming months. While
Microsoft has made great strides in the security of this new release, it is not
a security solution, and you will need to find a comprehensive way to keep all
systems managed, secured, and recoverable.

Ajay Verma

maildqindia@cybermedia.co.in

The author is director, Channel and Alliances, Symantec India