Chapter 1 of this book has been provided to ISAserver.org courtesy of Syngress Publishing and it's distinguished authors - Tom Shinder, Debra Littlejohn Shinder and Martin Grasdal. Click here to download Chapter 1 (PDF)

In this introductory chapter, an overview/review is provided of Microsoft ISA Server’s features and functionality, installation tips, and how to update the ISA Server and clients with Service Pack 1. New information is provided about incorporating ISA Server into your network design, using Application Center 2000 to manage ISA Servers in a non-Active Directory network, running ISA Server on Windows .NET Server, and information about some of the many third-party software packages that can be added to ISA Server to enhance its functionality.

We then go beyond ISA Server to discuss major network security issues that are often encountered by the administrators of Windows-based networks in the enterprise, including the use of Windows’ built-in security features such as the default access control settings, Security Configuration Toolset, and the Encrypting File System (EFS).

Other security considerations discussed include the use of smart cards to authenticate users on the network, securing 802.1 wireless networks, and providing better Web security when using IIS as your Web server.

Network security is no longer a luxury that administrators can choose to ignore; our systems are vulnerable to a plethora of potential dangers.We need only read the newspapers to know that information warfare—the use of technology to disrupt the communications infrastructure on which companies and individuals increasingly depend—is not just an interesting idea; it’s already a reality. Major corporations have lost millions of dollars due to lost productivity, data loss or damage, and other consequences of both casual and calculated attacks.Whether the work of a sophisticated and skilled hacker or a clueless script kiddie, an attack on your organization’s network can be financially devastating. It is essential that network professionals have the proper tools available to protect their networks, and the documentation that will help them to get the most out of those tools.

ISA Server, through its firewall functionality, provides one such tool. However, installing it on your network is not enough. There are many different ways in which ISA can be deployed, and many tricks to configuring it to perform exactly the functions you need in your own organization. By purchasing the book you'll be guided through these advanced deploymnents and configurations of your ISA server. In Chapters 2 through 6, we will delve into advanced configuration techniques that can be used to tailor your ISA Servers’ functionality to fit your individual needs.Then, in Chapters 7 through 15, we’ll go beyond ISA Server to look at other aspects of defending a Windows-based network.

ISA Server and Beyond should be part of every ISA administrator's arsenal. Pick up your copy today!