Security: Microsoft gives its security portfolio the name ‘Forefront.’ The umbrella brand will encompass ISA Server 2006, Antigen enterprise antivirus and antispam tools, and the service formerly known as Client Protection. Microsoft is also releasing research, based on what its security software digs up, that finds 1 in every 300 PCs has malware. Columnists’ corner: The biggest Linux vendor you’ve never heard of just might be Oracle, writes Neil McAllister in this week’s Open Enterprise. “It was only natural for Oracle to enter into the Linux support business. It’s not widely recognized, but Oracle has provided enterprise Linux support through its Unbreakable Linux program for about four years. Now, with its new Oracle Validated Configurations initiative, it is poised to take that a step further.” An Oracle exec claims that when it comes to Linux “We’re trying to use our influence to do something good.” Podcasts: Jon Udell has a conversation with CJ Rayhill, O’Reilly and Associates CIO, in which they discuss the SafariU project, of which she has been one of the leaders, as well as the intersection of publishing and education. And David Marshall, in Virtualization Report, takes on PlateSpin and Double-Take Software’s partnership, then delves into AMD’s answer to Intel’s vPro. Quoteworthy: “Fewer than half of senior managers surveyed believe that top brass understands the value of IT. Compare that with 2004, when 62 percent said executive management got it. Yet, here’s the disconnect: Despite the perceived vote of no-confidence from the corner office, 56 percent of senior IT managers believe they have adequate funds to get the job done. One year ago, that figure was just 46 percent. — Steve Fox. IT stats, IT salaries. The news beat: Intel bumps up the release date for Tulsa, one of the multicore chips that comprise the Xeon family. Network Appliance targets storage for higher-performance computing. And Seiko Epson develops an e-paper display. Security