Altiris, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATRS), a pioneer of IT lifecycle management solutions that reduce the total cost of owning IT resources, today announced it is one of a select few management software vendors working with Microsoft to extend and enhance Network Access Protection (NAP) technology, also known as the quarantine-capable server software architecture. Altiris is now working with Microsoft to decrease the risk of viruses and mal-ware to network-connected IT assets by creating a solution that enables unhealthy machine isolation and promotes network resiliency.
Windows Server 2003 will make possible a quarantine framework designed to detect vulnerable or infected machines. Once detected, the quarantine system will help prevent the machine from accessing the network until it is in a healthy state.
“Integration with Altiris systems and patch management solutions helps Network Access Protection technology from Microsoft become a comprehensive infrastructure that protects networked computing environments from viruses and mal-ware,” said Steve Anderson, director in the Windows Server Group at Microsoft Corp. “We are also working with industry leaders in fields such as networking, VPN and anti-virus to help system administrators protect corporate assets and control the spread of viruses by ensuring security compliance. Many IT organizations will be able to leverage Network Access Protection across existing Altiris and Windows Server 2003 deployments, helping extend customer investments.”
Microsoft is working with Altiris to help deliver on the vision of a full-function quarantine system which includes:
- Inspection – Altiris provides comprehensive inventory discovery, management and vulnerability assessment to examine and report on machine states.
- Provisioning – Altiris® configuration management helps keep machines in a known good state.
- Enforcement – Policy-based isolation of the non-compliant computers to a quarantined VLAN through Altiris deployment for servers and intelligent switches.
- Remediation – Altiris client and server management provides integrated patch management to help bring unhealthy computers into compliance.
Dwain Kinghorn, Altiris CTO, said, “Altiris recognizes computing security as a critical component of Altiris IT lifecycle management. We currently provide our customers with integrated solutions for vulnerability assessment, patch management, security event monitoring and automated, policy-based remediation. As an early adopter of Microsoft innovation, Altiris continues to work with Microsoft to integrate Windows security features, like quarantine network architecture, into our IT lifecycle management solutions to help customers reduce management costs.”
Altiris is a Microsoft Gold ISV and Enterprise partner. Altiris software has been used by companies worldwide to help deploy millions of nodes of Windows XP and 2000. Altiris also jointly develops solutions for Windows Server 2003 management as a leader in server provisioning while jointly promoting Microsoft Software Asset Management.
About Altiris
Altiris, Inc. is a pioneer of IT lifecycle management software that allows IT organizations to easily manage desktops, notebooks, thin clients, handhelds, industry-standard servers, and heterogeneous software including Windows, Linux and UNIX. Altiris automates and simplifies IT projects throughout the life of an asset to reduce the cost and complexity of management. Altiris client and mobile, server, and asset management solutions natively integrate via a common Web-based console and repository. For more information, visit www.altiris.com
Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, including, but not limited to, the statements regarding the future integration between the Microsoft Network Access Protection technology and Altiris systems and patch management solutions and products. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ, including, but not limited to, difficulties in product development and integration; delays in bringing the product to market; errors in the product; and such other risks as identified in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2004 and from time to time in other reports filed by Altiris with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Altiris is a registered trademark of Altiris, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries. The other company names or products mentioned are or may be trademarks of their respective owners. |