News Release
For Immediate Release

International Microsoft Security Specialist to Lead Microsoft New Zealand Security Summit

Free Security Summit and MSDN Connection Membership for Local Developers and IT Professionals

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Tuesday, 30 March 2004 - New Zealand developers and IT professionals are invited to attend a complimentary full day security briefing led by noted Microsoft Corp Security Product Manager, Steve Riley. Scheduled for Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch from April 26th, Riley will join local security experts to share the latest information, tools and resources to help the IT community maximise the security of Microsoft infrastructures.

The Microsoft New Zealand Security Summit will also be the launch of the MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) Connection in New Zealand, a new developer recognition programme.

Doug Pratt, Group Manager for Developer and Platform Strategy at Microsoft New Zealand, says Riley's return to New Zealand following his appearance at TechEd 2003, is a not-to-be missed opportunity, and expects more than 1,000 people to attend the event across all three centres.

"Steve was a popular speaker at TechEd 2003 and understands the security issues and concerns of the New Zealand market," says Pratt. "The goal of the summit is to provide an opportunity for developers and IT professionals to find out what they can do within their disciplines to heighten security measures and implement best-practice security procedures.

"Security continues to be Microsoft's number one priority and we want to work together with developers and IT professionals to provide a secure computing system for New Zealand businesses.

"The launch of the MSDN Connection fits well with this event and we're excited about the benefits and networking opportunities this programme offers." Each summit has three dedicated streams, one for web developers, one for windows forms developers and one for IT Infrastructure professionals. Each stream will cover application development through to deployment and maintenance from a security perspective.

Microsoft New Zealand Security Summit Agenda

Location Auckland
Date 26 April 2004
Venue Carlton Hotel, Carlton Ballroom, Cnr Mayoral Drive and Vincent St

Location Wellington
Date 28 April 2004
Venue Hotel Intercontinental, Lambton Room, Cnr Grey and Featherston Sts

Location Christchurch
Date 29 April 2004
Venue Hotel Grand Chancellor, Chancellor 2, 161 Cashel St
For further information and event registration, please visit
http://www.microsoft.com/nz/securitysummit/
or ring 0800 222 320.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. For more information, see www.microsoft.co.nz

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