Stirling, Forefront Updates Rescheduled

The next updates to Forefront, Microsoft’s line of security products for client, server, and network edge protection, have been delayed until late 2009 and early 2010. The integrated security suite, code-named Forefront Stirling, had been expected in the second quarter of 2009 but will now be released in the first quarter of 2010. Microsoft also announced Forefront Online Security for Exchange, a renamed e-mail protection service that will be the first of several planned Forefront Online services.

Revised Schedule

The Forefront line of security products provides protection for servers, desktops, and laptops from malicious software (malware), including viruses and spyware. Those products and Microsoft’s existing firewall and caching software are being integrated into one security suite, Forefront Stirling, which has been in beta since Apr. 2008 and was expected to be released in the first quarter of 2009.

In Apr. 2009, Microsoft announced revised schedules for release of the next versions of Forefront products and inclusion of identity management into the Forefront line, as follows: