Microsoft to security vendors: Hands off my kernel

As you might recall, on Monday we reported on McAfee's public shaming of Microsoft in an advertisement printed in the Financial Times that took the form of an open letter to "computer users around the world." In the ad, McAfee accused Microsoft of incorporating "inherent weaknesses" into their upcoming Vista operating system. Well, The New York Times reports today that other major security companies have joined the fray, making their grievances known both publicly and to officials in the justice department and the European Commission.

So what's all the hubbub about? Turns out that Microsoft is launching their own security solution with Vista and in true Microsoft fashion, they're locking third-party security companies out of the Windows kernel--at least in the 64-bit version of Vista. Additionally, Microsoft's own Windows Security Center will be front and center in Vista and you can bet it won't be easy to disable or uninstall.

Well, obviously, these security companies aren't all too happy that the functionality of their products is being circumscribed by Microsoft (who is now also a direct competitor). But what about the rest of us? Would your enterprise entrust Microsoft with desktop security? Will this prevent you from deploying the 64-bit version of Vista--or from deploying Vista at all? Write in and let me know and I'll post your responses in a future editor's corner.

For more on Vista security concerns:
- see this New York Times article