Microsoft Expands Scope and Partner Benefits of Security Software Advisor Program

Updates reflect feedback from the program’s partner base, which has grown to over 1,700 security partners in first four months.

REDMOND, Wash. — Microsoft Corp. today announced a series of measures aimed at expanding its Security Software Advisor (SSA) program, including higher payouts to partners and a broader set of eligible deals. As of Dec. 1, 2006, Microsoft will pay advisory fees to eligible security channel partners of up to 30 percent on most commercial, government and educational licensing programs. These adjustments have been made in response to growing demand for the Microsoft® Forefront™ security product lineup from business customers and feedback from the SSA program’s partner base, which has swelled to over 1,700 members in only four months.

“As members of the Security Software Advisor program, we are pleased that Microsoft has listened to our calls for a broader advisor fee program,” said Michael Goldstein, vice president of LAN Associates. “We are seeing a great deal of interest for Microsoft Forefront solutions from enterprise customers and, these adjustments will help us cater to a wider customer base.”

The SSA program has incentives for partners that advise on the purchase decision and deploy Microsoft security and access products. The program was launched in July to support security partners as they incorporate Microsoft Forefront products into their security practices. Microsoft Forefront solutions are designed to address key customer pain points associated with protecting IT environments against the latest threats, while providing secure access to applications and data.

“We are making these modifications to the SSA program to further recognize the critical role of our partners in helping keep customers secure,” said Steve Brown, director of product management for the Security and Access Products Group at Microsoft. “To support our security partners in that role, we are committed to continued investment in both the Forefront product line and innovative partner programs like SSA.”

The SSA program delivers additional value to Microsoft’s Security Solutions Competency, a program for partners that specialize in the sale and deployment of security solutions and services. As part of the overall Microsoft Partner Program, the competency provides substantial business opportunities and supports partners as they develop their businesses around Microsoft security solutions and services.

This program’s expansion follows a number of recent Microsoft Forefront product announcements. Forefront Security for Exchange Server and Forefront Security for SharePoint® were launched earlier this month to help businesses protect Exchange Server 2007 and 2007 versions of SharePoint Products and Technologies against malware, spam, inappropriate content and unwanted files. In November, the Microsoft Forefront Client Security public beta was launched to protect laptops and server operating systems from viruses, worms spyware, rootkits, and Trojan horses.

More details about the SSA program and what it means for security partners can be found here.