2005 North American Linux and Windows TCO Comparison Report, Part 2: Hardening Security Is Key to Reducing Risk and TCO
Published: September 23, 2005
Summary
This report is based on the results of Yankee Group's independent, non-sponsored 2005 North American Linux and Windows Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Comparison Survey.
Based on the survey data of 550 IT managers and executives, the study found that "corporate enterprises rate Windows security nearly on par with comparable Linux networks." Yankee Group goes on to say that "the results for Microsoft are notable because of the dramatic improvement in its score compared to our 2004 Linux, UNIX, and Windows TCO Comparison Survey conducted 15 months ago."
The 2005 survey reveals that users found "a 100 percent improvement in Microsoft’s security in the past 12 months."
The survey also highlights the following findings:
| • | Recovery Time: It takes network administrators 30 percent longer—or approximately 4
hours—to bring their Linux servers back online following a security attack, compared
to a Windows server. In the majority of the cases, the fault lies not with the
underlying Linux operating system but with poor documentation and support. |
| • | Patch Management: Survey respondents have reduced the time spent on applying and distributing Windows updates and patches by 50 to 80 percent since Microsoft went to a monthly schedule of patch management releases in the fall of 2004. Whereas Linux IT administrators report they spend on average 15 to 23 percent longer—approximately 2 to 5 hours more per week—on patch management distribution compared to the same period in 2004. |
Included in This Document
| • | Introduction |
| • | Data and Analysis |
| • | Conclusions |
| • | Recommendations |
| • | Further Reading |
