Microsoft is making headway with the development of Windows Server 2008. The Redmond company will launch its last 32-bit server operating system on February 27, 2008, in Los Angeles, together with SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008. In mid December 2007, the latest development milestone of Windows Server 2008 became available for download. The December Release Candidate Build of Windows Server 2008 signaled the company's proximity to RTM. And in fact, after it has postponed releasing Windows Server 2008 to manufacturing in 2007, Microsoft is reported to RTM the server operating system in early February.

Keeping in line with the marketing techniques associated with Windows Vista, Microsoft is applauding Windows Server 2008 as the safest Windows Server operating system available. "Built from the ground up with security in mind, and the product is designed to protect your organization from attacks on your network and servers", Microsoft revealed. And this is where the Windows Server 2008 Security guide comes into play. According to Microsoft, the guide is designed to "help you quickly configure, deploy, and manage security settings in Windows Server 2008 across your organization."

Via the Windows Server 2008 Security Guide, users will be able to access not only guidance and recommendations, but also a set of automation tools designed to tailor the server operating system. The end purpose is of course to streamline the building and maintenance processes associated with making the servers running Windows Server 2008 bulletproof. At this point in time, the Redmond company is delivering a beta release of Windows Server 2008 Security Guide, as a Solution Accelerator.

"When released in early 2008, the Windows Server 2008 Security Guide will provide IT professionals with best practices and automated tools to help strengthen the security of servers running Windows Server 2008. Based on extensive experience from customers, government agencies, and Microsoft security experts, the Windows Server 2008 Security Guide lets customers choose from two pre-configured security baselines. Both configurations have been thoroughly tested in Microsoft labs, and validated by customers and partners under real-world conditions. Customers can easily tailor the configuration they choose, modifying any security setting to accommodate the unique needs of their organization", revealed Nick MacKechnie, Senior Technical Account Manager in Microsoft New Zealand.