Microsoft has launched a beta of its Forefront client security application. 

The spyware and virus filtering application has been available as a limited beta, and was released as a public download earlier this week. The final product is slated for release in June 2007.

Forefront will represent Microsoft's entry into the enterprise security market, following the summer launch of its consumer oriented OneCare suite.

In addition to the client software, the suite will contain the existing Internet Security and Acceleration Server which offers network edge protection.

Forefront Security for Sharepoint and Forefront Security for Exchange Server will round out the suite. Both applications are currently in beta.

The enterprise security market is crowded by large providers such as CA, McAfee and Symantec as well as numerous niche players. 

Microsoft claims that existing applications lack integration with other components of the IT infrastructure such as Microsoft's Active Directory, Group Policy and Windows Server Update Services.

The limited integration creates potential "gaps and inefficiencies" in the security of a network, according to Redmond.

Security vendors have recently raised objections to Microsoft's upcoming Windows Vista, which they claim deploys a new security technology that prevents some of today's security products from functioning properly.