Microsoft is looking to take the security research and response operations at an international level. While Microsoft is still making its baby steps into the security industry, the Redmond Company is willing to invest in order to become a global player. At the RSA 2007 Conference, Microsoft has unveiled plans to establish security research teams in Europe and in Asia.

The announcement comes in the wake of Symantec's accusations that Microsoft is generating a conflict of interest by becoming involved in the security industry. Symantec Chairman and CEO, John W. Thompson said that customers should not trust a company that is offering to do everything for them. "You wouldn't want the company that created your company's operating platform…to be the one that is securing it from a wide range of risks. It's a huge conflict of interest," Thompson commented.

Microsoft delivered little details in relation to the expansion plans. However, the Redmond Company is also focusing on providing an enhanced infrastructure to deal with the potential issues from Windows Vista. In this regard, the Redmond juggernaut will also expand the division responsible for tackling vulnerabilities across its software products.

In terms of security, Microsoft has brought to the table Windows Live OneCare 1.5, its antivirus and antispyware solution, concomitantly with the commercial availability of Windows Vista. Later this year, Microsoft plans to make available Forefront Client Security for the corporate environments.

Meanwhile OneCare has failed the VB100 test for Windows Vista, due to the fact that it has failed to detect all but one piece of the malware that was thrown at it.