Microsoft: Exchange encryption on the cards
Mail servers running on the new version of Microsoft Exchange will encrypt Internet traffic using open standards, a Microsoft executive said. "If two customers are running E12, it will automatically create a secure connection", said Kim Akers, Microsoft Exchange group senior director. Exchange 12 or E12 is the code name for the next version, and is slated for late 2006.
The feature will be based on the Secure Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) public key encryption and X.509 digital certificate standards.
Akers assured ZDNet Australia Microsoft would take the final specifications to the relevant standards body so other mail server software will be able to interoperate with Exchange.
In contrast with previous versions, Microsoft is designing Exchange 12 to be fully scriptable, with a completely redesigned management console.
