Top executives from Microsoft Corp. have outlined a vision for secure and easy “anywhere access” and committed to working with the industry to evolve networks, protection and identity to achieve that vision for customers. In their keynote address at the RSA Conference 2007, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and Chief Research and Strategy Officer Craig Mundie discussed how the industry can further advance efforts around trustworthy computing to enable people to access, share and use corporate and personal information without fear that it will be compromised, stolen or exploited. Although anywhere access is not a new term, Gates and Mundie expanded the definition to encompass a broad range of scenarios and technologies across networking, platforms and applications.
Also at RSA, Microsoft announced a series of product news, initiatives and industry alliances to help customers achieve anywhere access, including the upcoming availability of Identity Lifecycle Manager 2007, the public beta of Microsoft(R) Forefront(TM) Server Security Management Console, support for Extended Validation SSL certificates in Internet Explorer(R) 7, and new collaboration with industry partners to help combat phishing.
“Security is the fundamental challenge that will determine whether we can successfully create a new generation of connected experiences that enable people to have anywhere access to communications, content and information,” Gates said. “The answer for the industry lies in our ability to design systems and processes that give people and organizations a high degree of confidence that the technology they use will protect their identity, their privacy and their information.”
“To create the level of seamless, pervasive connectivity that will make secure anywhere access a reality, continued collaboration and cooperation across this industry is essential,” Mundie added. “If we can work together to enhance trust, it will open the door to a transformation in the way people share experiences, explore ideas and create opportunities.”
Gates and Mundie said that to further advance trust and enable anywhere access, there are three key technological areas for industry focus and momentum:
