UPDATED 08:00 EDT / OCTOBER 23 2014

Microsoft Corporate VP of PC, Tablet, and Phone Joe Belfiore NEWS

Microsoft promises enterprise-grade security features for Windows 10

Microsoft Corporate VP of PC, Tablet, and Phone Joe Belfiore

Microsoft Corporate VP of PC, Tablet, and Phone Joe Belfiore

Microsoft is stepping up its efforts to entice enterprises to adopt its up-and-coming Windows 10 operating system with a range of new security features that will be built into the final release.

The plans were discussed in a lengthy blog post by Jim Alkove from the Microsoft Windows enterprise program management team. Alkove said Microsoft is particularly worried about the rise in enterprise security breaches seen around the world and is determined to make Windows 10 much more resistant to attackers. More than 500 million credit card accounts have been compromised due to security breaches this year alone.

“In a couple of recent cases, hackers infiltrated Fortune 500 companies using stolen usernames and passwords, which gave them access to point-of-sale systems and the credit card data being processed with them,” wrote Alkove.

Microsoft is fighting back with three new security features. The first is a multi-factor authentication option that enables companies to choose between using standard passwords only, or a combination of password and PIN, or password and biometric authentication. Two-factor access controls significantly raise the barriers to entry. Another option is to use a mobile device in the second stage of the process by connecting the device to a PC via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth prior to login.

Up next is a data separation solution built-in to Windows 10 that does the job of keeping corporate and personal data apart from one another on the same machine. This feature, which debuted in the first preview build of Windows 10, also provides for all corporate apps, content, files and emails to be encrypted automatically by default. Windows Phone users will also be able to access protected documents via their smartphones.

The third security enhancement is the introduction of a signing service provided by Microsoft that whitelists trusted apps to protect against threats like malware. According to Alkove, “Access to the signing service will be controlled using a vetting process similar to how we control ISV publishing access to the Windows Store and the devices themselves will be locked down by the OEM.”

This should help to protect Windows 10 devices from unauthorized access, as IT security teams will be able to designate which apps can be installed on which devices.

According to Alkove, this is just the beginning. His team will have much more to share on the security side as Windows 10’s development progresses. The operating system won’t become generally available until mid 2015 at the earliest, which means Microsoft has some time to iron out the kinks.

photo credit: chefranden via photopin cc

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