Microsoft has released a free tool to help companies keep up with
the timely downloading and distribution of security patches, writes
Eric Doyle.
Announcing the availability of Software Update Services (MSUS),
Stuart Okin, chief security officer at Microsoft UK, said, "The
tool is designed to keep SMEs up to date on critical updates. It is
not like the Windows Update site and will only download fixes for
critical security vulnerabilities, not bug fixes."
The tool, an update of the Federated Server software, can be
configured only to download the patches where companies wish to
test them against a standard application stack first to ensure
there are no secondary effects. Users can then download the patches
over the company intranet or systems managers can distribute them.
Microsoft described MSUS as an extension of its security service,
adding that customers who are happy with their current patch
distribution system do not have to download MSUS. Also, Microsoft
Systems Management Server users may prefer to wait until security
extensions in the Systems Management Server Value Pack are released
in the autumn.