New Identity and Access Features in Windows Server 2008
By Simon Vining, Senior Product Manager, Identity and Access
In my work for the identity and access team, I’m frequently asked what’s “new” in WS08 that delivers on Microsoft’s vision for end-to-end integrated identity and access? The short answer is “LOTS.” The long answer is “more seamless security and simplified collaboration.”
What do I mean? Permit me to elaborate.
The new read-only domain controller capabilities in Active Directory (AD)enable a more secure method for local authentication of users in remote and branch office locations using a read-only replica of your primary AD database. We’re also delivering more secure and transparent single sign-on for employees and partners through Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS). We’ve tightened the cryptography and increased the manageability of our certificate services through PKIView for monitoring the health of Certification Authorities (CAs) and have a new, more secure COM control for certificate Web enrollment of ActiveX. While all of this is noteworthy, our customers are most excited about the new enhancements for Active Directory Rights Management Services.
In the words of Mark Gandy, enterprise architect at Dow Corning, “Active Directory Rights Management Services was the ideal solution for us because it integrates seamlessly with both the Microsoft Office system on the desktop and our Windows Server based IT infrastructure. We decided specifically to go with Active Directory Rights Management Services in Windows Server 2008 because of the many enhancements it offers over the previous version, including its inclusion as a core server role, an improved management interface, and the ability to easily extend its reach to support collaboration with business partners.”
In addition to Dow Corning, identity and access solutions in Windows Server 2008 are getting rave reviews by Continental Airlines, Pacific Coast Building Products, and Windrush Frozen Foods, just to name a few. Additionally, the 250K seat deployment of Windows Server 2008 identity and access solutions at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs was featured here.
In Windows Server 2008, we have made the platform more secure, made it easier for customers to collaborate with one another and improved identity and access features. In general, all of our identity and access solutions are designed to help organizations manage identities and resulting access privileges, and these enhancements, not only work to that goal, but are also a huge leap forward in our commitments to customers for stronger security and enhanced ease of use.
For more info on our IDA solutions, visit, www.microsoft.com/ida
Thanks for your time and interest,
Simon Vining, Senior Product Manager, Identity and Access
