Microsoft Picks Shavlik for Vuln Assessment

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Shavlik Technologies announced today that Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT) has selected Shavlik to provide Microsoft’s customers with vulnerability assessment capabilities for those Windows systems that have traditionally relied upon Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) V1.2.1. Microsoft has retired MBSA V1.2.1 as of April 30, 2007, which currently provides vulnerability scanning and detection for several older Microsoft products not supported by Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).

Shavlik NetChk Protect Limited for MBSA is now available for immediate download at no cost to Microsoft customers, and just like MBSA today, will identify needed security updates. Customers will also be able to upgrade to Shavlik’s enterprise versions of NetChk that offer more robust tools for full vulnerability management lifecycle needs such as automated remediation, intelligent patch targeting, and granular policy and compliance reporting.

“Shavlik Technologies was an easy choice for Microsoft to go to for providing continuity in supporting the complete detection for customers who are using some of the older products,” said Stephen Toulouse, Group Program Manager at Microsoft. “Shavlik has an intimate knowledge of security detection requirements since they helped develop the first version of MBSA for Microsoft.”

Shavlik and Microsoft have a history of working together to ensure a more secure computing environment, as Shavlik Technologies originally developed the core scanning and detection technology used as the basis for MBSA. First released by Microsoft as two separate tools back in 2001, as MBSA and HFNetChk, this capability was considered groundbreaking as Microsoft was the first OS vendor to offer network patch check tools.

“We are pleased to be able to continue our security relationship with Microsoft and offer customers solutions that complement and enhance the capabilities offered by Microsoft Update,” said Mark Shavlik, CEO of Shavlik Technologies. “Microsoft and Shavlik have worked together to ensure that we provide users of older products a single, familiar and easy-to-use solution to assess their security state.”

Shavlik Technologies

Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT)