Microsoft Offers Advanced Warning Of Upcoming Security Bulletins

Pretty much since they began their revised Security Bulletin release schedule of only putting out Security Bulletins once a month on the second Tuesday of each month, Microsoft has provided an early heads-up to enterprise customers. So that these premium partners would not be blindsided with multiple critical patches out of the blue, Microsoft let them know how many bulletins they expect to release and what the relative urgency of them is projected to be so that the corporations could be prepared. Beginning last month they have opened that program up to everyone. Users can subscribe to receive an email alert with the Security Bulletin pre-release advanced warning information. While Microsoft did release Security Bulletin MS04-040 last week out of the normal patching cycle, the regularly scheduled December Security Bulletins will be released on Tuesday, December 14. Microsoft is predicting that there will be a total of 5 Security Bulletins with a maximum urgency of "Important". For more information or to register to receive the monthly early warning alerts, visit the Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification page.