Microsoft launches new website touting Windows 10 security features

Windows 10 has a number of improvements in terms of features and functionality that Microsoft uses to market their strategic new operating system. Cortana, Universal Windows Apps and the benefits of running a single OS across every conceivable device type are all keys to convincing people to adopt Windows 10. Today, Microsoft launched a new site dedicated to letting people know another of Windows 10’s key strengths: security.

Today’s computing environment is full of different attack vectors by which nefarious individuals and organizations gain access to systems to steal private, commercial, and government information. Microsoft wants us all to know that Windows 10 has been designed with all of those attack vectors in mind.

Addressing today’s threats requires a new approach. Windows 10 offers architectural changes that protect from the inside out and go well beyond perimeter defense and building bigger walls.

If you look back at how security threats have evolved over time, you’ll find some disturbing trends. Enterprises that are used to attacks from individuals and small groups that were out for mischief or personal notoriety have been replaced by well-funded criminal organizations seeking profit. More recently these criminal organizations have been joined by highly clandestine organizations with ulterior motives and whose attacks appear to succeed at will.

The harsh reality is that the attackers have acquired the advantage, and if your organization is in the crosshairs, it’s not a question of whether the attackers can get access to your network, it’s a question of how fast they can do it and how long will it take you to find out. It often takes months to detect and almost as long to remediate.

Windows 10 approaches security from a number of different perspectives, and the site provides additional information on each one:

• Secured Devices: device integrity, cryptographic processing, virtualization, biometric sensors
• Identify Protection: robust credentialing, Microsoft Passport
• Information Protection: BitLocker and Enterprise Data Protection, Rights Management Services
• Threat Resistance: SmartScreen, Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer, Device Guard, Windows Defender, Trusted Boot, Device Health Attestation and Conditional Access

If you’re responsible for your organization’s security, or just want to be sure your own personal information is protected, then you’ll want to check out how Windows 10 can help create a more security environment. Microsoft is serious about convincing people to upgrade and to achieve their goal of a billion Windows 10 users, and security is just one more way to prod users and organizations to migrate.