Published: May 15, 2008

About Solution Accelerators

Solution Accelerators are authoritative resources that help IT pros plan, deploy, and operate IT systems that address real-world scenarios. Solution Accelerators provide free, prescriptive guidance and automation to accelerate cross-product integration, core infrastructure development, and other enhancements.

For the latest information, go to Microsoft.com/TechNet/SolutionAccelerators

About This Accelerator

Welcome to the Microsoft Forefront Integration Kit for Network Access Protection.

IT pros are constantly faced with the challenge of protecting network resources against successful malicious attacks. When malicious software (also known as malware) is able to penetrate network defenses, it can spread with alarming speed, compromise or destroy mission-critical data, disrupt operations, and cost significant time and money. A defense-in-depth strategy is needed to defend against such attacks. And if a successful attack occurs, a tool is needed to quickly isolate and remediate compromised computers—before the malware can spread.

The Microsoft Forefront Integration Kit for Network Access Protection provides a way for two Microsoft technologies to work together: Forefront Client Security and Network Access Protection (NAP). Forefront Client Security is comprehensive anti-malware software from Microsoft that provides unified protection from viruses, spyware, and other current and emerging threats. NAP is a new feature in Windows Server® 2008 that can control network access based on a computer’s compliance with an organization's health policy. NAP uses system health validators (SHVs) to configure the policies that are used to determine if network access is granted. System health agents (SHAs) provide the information needed to make this determination.

Together, Forefront Client Security and NAP can provide an additional defense-in-depth layer against malicious attacks and give administrators a significant degree of control over the security and health of networked computers.

Related Resources

• See the Network Access Protection site on Microsoft TechNet.
• If you have questions or comments about Network Access Protection, post them on the Network Access Protection TechNet forum.
• See the Forefront Client Security TechCenter site on Microsoft TechNet.
• If you have questions or comments about Forefront Client Security, visit the Forefront Client Security forums.
• For more information about all of the Microsoft Solution Accelerators, see the Solution Accelerators site on Microsoft TechNet.