Microsoft Corp. today announced public availability of Windows® Rights Management Services (RMS), information protection technology for Windows Server (TM) 2003 that helps enterprises and organizations safeguard their sensitive digital information from unauthorized use. RMS allows information workers to distribute information within their organizations and define how and under what circumstances it can be used, such as when it expires and who can open, modify, print and forward it. The ability to express and enforce document-level protection will allow organizations to internally share information more broadly, with less risk of inadvertent or intentional misuse.
"Our customers have told us they need help protecting sensitive information from accidental and intentional distribution to unauthorized recipients," said Mike Nash, corporate vice president of the Security Business Unit at Microsoft. "We are very excited about the release of Rights Management Services because it enables a new level of persistent protection for important information created by organizations and businesses that will address a key customer need and create opportunities for our development partners."
RMS was developed with large organizations and enterprises in mind because they produce volumes of sensitive information and have specialized departments such as human resources, finance and legal that require a high level of confidentiality. In addition, RMS is well-suited for adoption by midsize enterprises and vertical sectors such as finance, legal, government and healthcare. For example, healthcare companies create a wide variety of sensitive information and documentation -- such as patient records, research and development plans, and clinical trial results -- that can be safeguarded by RMS.