Microsoft’s recent Windows Powers the Future of Hybrid Work event turned out to be a powerful launchpad from which to release new revelations into the future of security on Windows 11. Microsoft announced innovations such as the increased use of AI, the development of brand new hardware, and the continued reliance on the Cloud to ensure that Windows 11 is even more secure going forward.
In addition to all the innovations discussed, Microsoft also took the opportunity to discuss the current infrastructure and how it would integrate with the future of Windows 11. One such piece of infrastructure is Microsoft Pluton, which the company has said will be used more commonly in their future computing. Microsoft Pluton is a security infrastructure that was first pioneered on Microsoft’s Xbox One. While it has been used in Xbox consoles almost exclusively, the infrastructure now has the ability to secure PCs. Pluton relies on various Windows 11 security features, such as TPM 2.0, identity protection, and firmware, and takes an absolute Zero Trust approach to PC security.
Pluton is able to integrate with CPU and operating systems and receives regular updates to better support PC security. Pluton, therefore, offers many benefits to PC manufacturers, but some have come out quite strongly against its integration in their builds. Two such companies are Dell and Lenovo, who have each opted instead to use Intel’s vPro technology. This cannot be used in conjunction with Microsoft Pluton. However, Pluton has only been in use since 2020, so it’ll likely take time for the infrastructure to reach the wider market of PC manufacturers.
The next build of Windows 11 will also feature Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI) enabled by default. HVCI has the ability to stop threat actors from infecting PCs with code, a method employed in the WannaCry attack. Windows 11 will also now have a system in place that blocks any vulnerable drivers or those connected in any way to security threats.
This is, of course, a very limited list of all the discussion points addressed during the event, but the wider point is that Microsoft has essentially vowed to make Windows 11 as secure as possible and has laid out actual plans and infrastructure to achieve that goal. Through all of this artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and hardware innovations and integrations, Windows 11 is about to become much more of a challenge for even the most motivated threat actors.
In other news, the 11 Xbox Game Bar just went through a rather significant upgrade. Say hello to the new Auto HDR Intensity Slider in Windows 11.
