Top 3 Key Security Improvements Found in Windows 10 Technical Preview

Security is in the eyes of the beholder. A quote which holds steadfast amidst the IT Professional community. While securing the core or datacenter is important to most IT administrators, security planning for client end software is equally important.  Microsoft addresses this need ushering in its latest client offering, Windows 10 , along with further evolution of the client software’s security capabilities.  The following are 3 key security improvements to look forward to in the upcoming release.

1. Corporate and Personal Data Separation – While seen before in other comparable OS offerings, Microsoft's implementation is seamless to the end user. Rules provisioned by IT administrators will deem data such as email, internal websites, applications etc, as corporate bound and Windows 10 will encrypt said data as per corporate standards without end user intervention. What's more is that this encryption capability with extend to both desktop and phone.
    
2. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – One question regularly asked is “What is the true security a password provides? ”. Many stores have been told regarding passwords written on sticky notes pasted onto the connected monitor, to passwords scribbled on ceiling tiles whereas the user simply looks up to remember their password.  While Multi-Factor Authentication is not a new technology, Windows 10 allows for much easier enablement of MFA, which can be satisfied via a mobile device bearing Windows, iOS and/or Android running Microsoft’s authenticator app to using a biometric scanner, to receiving a phone call and providing a pin.  All this offered natively within Windows 10 without the requirement of 3rd party software.
    
3. Trusted Applications – Having assisted local school districts regarding their application management strategy, this security capability hits close to home.  Dealing with malware is a tricky situation especially when publically accessible computers are thrown into the mix. With Windows 10, IT administrators will be enabled to ability to only allow Trusted Applications as approved by themselves and the organization they support. Applications signed by Microsoft’s authorized signing service, chosen by said organization and approved across Windows desktops and phones alike.  This would effectively lock down a Windows 10 client device and would prevent malware unknowingly being loaded.

This by no means is the end of Microsoft’s latest client software security story. Addition security capabilities made available by Windows 10 will be detailed shortly at the upcoming Microsoft Build and Microsoft Ignite events.