With the increasing number of cyber threats, security is a top priority for Microsoft customers. Windows Server 2022 includes security features such as the secured-core server and secure connectivity.

The secured-core server brings together strong protections against threats, offering multi-layered security for hardware, firmware, and the operating system. It utilizes the Trusted Platform Module 2.0 and System Guard for the secure boot of Windows Server and reducing the risk from firmware vulnerabilities.

The secured-core server also includes virtualization-based security (VBS) features such as Credential Guard and Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI). Credential Guard provides proactive protection for sensitive data such as credentials, while HVCI implements hardware-based security to prevent advanced malware from compromising the system.

Secure connectivity adds an extra layer of protection during transmission for enhanced security. Windows Server 2022 improves secure connections with a faster and more secure encrypted HTTPS protocol and Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.3, enabled by default. Customers can also enhance the security of server communications with AES-256 encryption, which now supports the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol.

Azure Arc allows customers to manage, secure, and govern Windows Server either locally or in multi-cloud environments from a single console in Azure. Through Azure Arc, customers can easily leverage Azure management features such as Azure Policy, Azure Monitor, and Azure Defender for these servers.

Additionally, a few simple clicks in Windows Admin Center can enable connectivity with Azure Arc. Windows Server 2022 enhances the seamless connectivity of file servers locally with file servers in Azure. Updates to the Storage Migration service allow customers to migrate file servers from specific network-attached storage (NAS) systems and Windows File Servers to Windows Servers in Azure, maintaining low latency while reducing the need for local storage resources.