14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has announced a redesign for Windows Vista Advanced Notification Service and Security Bulletin information. But not only this, because the overhauling of the data infrastructure delivered by the Redmond Company with the Advanced Notification Service (ANS) and the format refresh of the security bulletins will impact the Windows Vista latest operating system exclusively, but also the additional Microsoft software products.
Until this point, Microsoft's Advanced Notification Service, as a part of the company's monthly security update release cycle, made available an advanced notification delivering information related to the platforms affected by patch releases and the overall maximum severity rating. "The information is currently grouped and rolled up by platform (Windows, Office, etc.). This was implemented based on customer feedback that more time and information was needed to plan for testing and deployment. We've received positive feedback on the ANS, but customers have also told us that additional information would be even more helpful. Based on that, we are incorporating additional detail about the upcoming security updates. We plan to implement this change with June's ANS release on Thursday, June 7," revealed Mark Miller, the director of the Microsoft Security Response Center.
As of the next months, the information provided via the advance notification through the ANS subset will include the maximum severity rating, the impact of vulnerabilities, detection information, and the affected products. Because of the new architecture of the ANS, the information will be structured around the specific security bulletins and not around the platforms.
Additionally, Microsoft has revealed that the Security Bulletin design will also be altered in order to be adapted and better fit customer demands. Miller pointed out how Microsoft will change the layout of the security bulletins: "Move all applicable decision making information to the top of the page. Create a table of affected products (instead of a list) with links to the download location of the updates. Change the section titles to be more representative of the content under them. Re-arrange content to areas that make them more intuitive to find. Reduce some of the repetitive content in the bulletin."