Dec 20, 2010 09:44 GMT  ·  By

A security resource from Microsoft designed to help customers deal with malware infection incidents has hit the Beta stage.

The Beat of Infrastructure Planning and Design guide for Malware Response has been released to early adopters.

Malware Response is a Solution Accelerator provided by the software giant free of charge, but price is a non-issue, especially with the resource still cooking.

With the Beta testing program, the Redmond company is offering customers an excellent opportunity to grab Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide for Malware Response, give it a try, and provide feedback and input that can influence the development process moving onward.

As the official label implies, the recourse is set up to streamline response to malicious code within a company.

“This guide assists organizations in determining the appropriate response strategy to an incident or outbreak of malware,” revealed Microsoft’s Stephen L Rose.

“The guide discusses three primary recovery methods: cleaning the system, recovering system state, and rebuilding the system. Each method presents different risks to the organization.

“The guide also describes approaches to investigating outbreaks and cleaning infected systems. Read this guide to make an informed decision about how to return the systems to operation while limiting the company’s exposure.”

While in Beta, Malware Response can be downloaded from Microsoft Connect.

Of course, testers will need a valid Windows Live ID, which will permit them access to the Beta program.

Microsoft has so far not provided an availability deadline for Malware Response, but the company did indicate that the guide will be released to customers soon, most probably in early 2011.

“Infrastructure Planning and Design guides streamline the planning process by:

•Defining the technical decision flow through the planning process.

•Listing the decisions to be made and commonly available options and considerations.

•Relating the decisions and options to the business in terms of cost, complexity, and other characteristics.

•Framing decisions in terms of additional questions to the business to ensure a comprehensive alignment with the appropriate business landscape,” Rose explained.