Microsoft has announced that Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010 (FEP) has released to manufacturing!  Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010 is the next version of Forefront Client Security, an will enable businesses to simplify and improve endpoint protection while greatly reducing infrastructure costs.

There are a ton of new features to explore in this new release including award-winning anti-malware protection (FEP uses same engine as Microsoft Security Essentials), vulnerability shielding, Windows firewall management, and, of course, integration with System Center Configuration Manager 2007.

Customers using System Center Configuration Manager 2007 can now quickly and efficiently deploy, configure, manage, update, and report on FEP protections, helping to lower infrastructure costs and improve overall security.

Since both products are included in the Enterprise CAL (ECAL), customers who purchase ECAL automatically get access to all the licenses they need to implement the solution.  To make deployment easier, FEP will even identify and replace the existing antimalware agents you may have previously installed.

You can find more product details on its Web site or TechCenter. For more information about convergence, please visit the new Windows Optimized Desktop page.

Related Links:
Forefront End Point Protection 2010 Security Management Pack
Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010 Evaluation
Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010 Privacy Statement.