It’s the most secure distribution version of Windows XP ever producedby Microsoft: More than 600 settings are locked down tight, andcritical security patches can be installed in an average of 72 hoursinstead of 57 days. The only problem is, you have to join the Air Forceto get it.

The Air Force persuaded Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmerto provide it with a secure Windows configuration that saved theservice about $100 million in contract costs and countless hours ofmaintenance. At a congressional hearing this week on cybersecurity,Alan Paller, research director of the Sans Institute, shared the storyas a template for how the government could use its massive purchasingpower to get companies to produce more secure products. And those couldeventually be available to the rest of us. [source]