Forefront/NAP solution is now live
Microsoft has posted its Forefront Integration Kit for Network Access Protection, aka FCS/NAP. In summary:
- The kit includes NAP client and server plug-ins which allow the network administrator to ensure that all machines on the network have active Anti-Malware protection, that the related client services are properly configured (and running), and that the latest signatures and patches are installed.
- Those machines that aren’t compliant/healthy are either quarantined (in NAP enforcement mode) or logged (in NAP reporting mode).
- Non-compliant machines can be automatically fixed-up. Your helpdesk (and users, and administrators) will thank you for not having to explain how to make manual configuration repairs in order to get someone connected to the network!
- Last, but certainly not least, the documentation is thorough. Seriously. There’s no shortage of really bad (or completely missing) technology documentation out there, and the Solution Accelerators team is doing their part to fight that trend.
Why am I pimping this? Because JW Secure worked on it, of course! Check out the credits at the bottom of the Overview page - we did both code & document development.
This was an exciting project, and for me a great way to leverage my existing experience with the NAP plug-in model. As a firm, we also benefitted from seeing from the inside another real-world example of how a NAP solution can compliment an existing product line.


[...] of this session was to showcase the new Forefront/Network Access Protection Solution Accelerator (http://www.jwsecure.com/dan/2008/06/04/forefrontnap-solution-is-now-live/). This being a 300-level session, Frank invited me to provide commentary about the implementation. [...]
I’m gathering info about NAP and forefront, i really ignore if forefront is heavy on laptops (needs RAM), if users can update it if they are outside the LAN, and if it is reliable concerning SPAM, Virus and malware capturing and cleaning…any hint where can i find such ino?
Regards
Jean