Microsoft to expand its security footprint

Microsoft is working to expand its security response and research operations beyond their current base in Redmond, Washington.

Over the next six months, the software giant plans to establish teams in Europe and Asia for round-the-clock coverage of security incidents and to support customers of its security products, Vincent Gullotto, general manager of security research and response at Microsoft, said in an interview at the RSA Conference.

Gullotto said: "Clearly, we have to build a global organisation. We will develop sites to cover the Americas, EMEA and Asia, for us to be protecting customers and providing support globally for all the people that use the various security products that we develop."

The expansion is meant to make Microsoft, a security industry newcomer, more competitive. The company started selling its Windows Live OneCare consumer antivirus product last year, and its Forefront Client Security software for businesses is set to ship in the second quarter of this year.

Gullotto has already started expanding his team outside the US. He recently hired Katrin Tocheva, a noted antivirus researcher who previously worked at F-Secure, to head up European operations. Gullotto himself is an antivirus industry veteran, with previous stints at Symantec and McAfee. Microsoft also hired McAfee veteran Jimmy Kuo.

At the same time Microsoft beefs up its malicious software research team, it will expand the team that deals with vulnerabilities in Microsoft software, said Mark Griesi, a security programme manager at the company. The goal is to be able to provide better response by operating from multiple time zones, he said.

Microsoft has not disclosed the size of its current research and response team, nor how many jobs it is adding. Gullotto said: "From the team that we have established today, you will see a significant uptick." There is plenty of interest in joining Microsoft, and the increase will depend on factors such as the number of threats people face, he said.

Joris Evers writes for CNET News.com