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Forefront Endpoint Protection release delayed

Microsoft pushes back the release of the antimalware software until the second half of next year, but it says related security releases are on track.

Elinor Mills Former Staff Writer
Elinor Mills covers Internet security and privacy. She joined CNET News in 2005 after working as a foreign correspondent for Reuters in Portugal and writing for The Industry Standard, the IDG News Service and the Associated Press.
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Elinor Mills

Microsoft on Thursday said it is delaying the release of its Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010 antimalware product for Windows desktops and servers until the second half of next year.

Forefront Endpoint Protection is a component of the upcoming Forefront Protection Suite, formerly code-named "Stirling."

"Based on customer feedback and market trends, we have made the strategic decision to build Forefront Endpoint Protection (FEP) on System Center Configuration Manager, Microsoft's solution to comprehensively assess, deploy, and update servers, clients, and devices," the company said in a blog post.

"This approach better aligns our customers' client management and security infrastructure, helping simplify deployment and reduce costs," the post said. "We are confident this is the right decision for our customers."

In the interim, Microsoft said, it will continue to offer its Forefront Client Security solution to customers.

Meanwhile, Microsoft said it is on track to release related products, including Forefront Protection Manager, in the first half of next year.