Messageware Newsletter Q3 2024

In this quarter’s newsletter, we’ll dive into the latest cybersecurity news, Microsoft releases, and exciting new Z-Day Guard v1.5 security features for servers.

Messageware Z-Day Guard for Microsoft Servers

15 minute Security Challenge: Are Your Servers Properly Monitored? Take just 15 minutes to try Messageware’s Z-Day Guard on a Windows or Exchange Server. Z-Day Guard offers lightning-fast security, detecting zero-day exploits and other threats to Microsoft servers. Don’t let complexity or cost stand in your way – experience top-tier protection with our free trial today. Reach out and Demo Z-Day’s cyber security now.

Z-Day Guard V1.5 Introduces New Features:

Z-Day Guard is deployed at many Messageware customer sites, providing always-on, next generation server monitoring for cyber-attacks. In addition to Z-Day’s existing features, here’s two more that have been added to the new release.

More Security: Windows Task Scheduler Integrity Monitoring

Cybercriminals frequently exploit Windows Task Scheduler to achieve persistence and execute malicious code undetected. The latest version of Z-Day Guard monitors Windows Task Scheduler, establishing baselines of typical operations. When unexpected and untrusted operations occur, Z-Day Guard triggers immediate alerts, notifying your SecOps team of potential threats.

Simplified Setup: Ready-to-Use Server Templates

Z-Day Guard now protects more than Microsoft Exchange! Z-Day Guard 1.5 can be added to all Windows Servers. And, to streamline the setup process, it comes with preconfigured templates tailored to each type of server. These templates make installation and customization quick and effortless, ensuring optimal configuration and minimal setup time.

Overview and Feature Highlights for Messageware Z-Day Guard: https://www.messageware.com/pdf/Z-Day-Product-Sheet.pdf

Migrating to Microsoft Exchange Server SE

Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) represents a major step forward in Microsoft’s dedication to on-premises Exchange. Microsoft is encouraging administrators to begin planning their migration strategies now, as support for earlier Exchange versions will end in October 2025. While that deadline is over a year away, Microsoft has published a technical article on transitioning to Exchange Server 2019 and the upcoming Exchange Server SE.

CrowdStrike Globally Crashes

The recent CrowdStrike outage sent shockwaves through the global tech landscape, disrupting critical systems across multiple industries. On July 18, 2024, a flawed update to CrowdStrike’s Falcon Sensor—a key cybersecurity tool used for endpoint protection—triggered system crashes and widespread “Blue Screen of Death” errors on millions of Windows devices worldwide. The outage impacted sectors from aviation to healthcare, with major airlines, financial institutions, and public transit systems experiencing operational downtime. Flights were grounded, public services were delayed, and healthcare systems faced interruptions. As businesses recover, questions loom about how Cloud Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and CrowdStrike’s licensing will address the financial and operational fallout.

In response, CrowdStrike has publicly apologized, testifying before the US Congress. Meanwhile, Microsoft, whose devices were directly affected, hosted a Windows Endpoint Security Ecosystem Summit in September at its headquarters in Redmond, Washington, to address the broader implications for system security.

Q4 2024 and Messageware

Will we have a conversation with you during Q4 about next generation security for your Microsoft Servers? We certainly hope so – many rely on Messageware’s cybersecurity products like Messageware EPG, Z-Day Guard, and AttachView to protect Windows and Exchange servers.

Messageware remains dedicated to providing the tools and expertise you need to safeguard your server infrastructure. We look forward to collaborating with you in the next quarter to strengthen your security and help protect your operations from evolving cyber threats.

Best regards,