Air Force to test Microsoft security

The Air Force is getting a head start on implementing Microsoft security patches through a program that lets the department get beta versions of software.

Earlier this year, Microsoft Corp. admitted the Air Force to the Security Update Validation Program, an initiative that lets the service and a small group of other organizations beta test versions of Microsoft patches before they are officially released.

The Air Force is "in discussions" with the Defense Department about ways to bring the security services concept to other branches of the military and federal agencies.