Microsoft Forefront Client Security review

During testing over a three-week period, we found FCS required little intervention - updates were all handled behind the scenes. The FCS console doesn't refresh automatically, but the F5 key does the job just as well, and alerts generated by clients find their way here in seconds. We were most impressed with the in-depth reporting on offer.

Smaller businesses will find the long-winded installation process for FCS tedious, but once set up correctly FCS is simple to manage and maintain. Reporting and alerting are handled well, and the NAP (network access protection) feature due in Windows Server 2008 will add valuable desktop and laptop health checks as well.

Author: Dave Mitchell