<A HREF="http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,2206100,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594">Rival technology companies have joined forces</A> to create the Software Assurance Forum for Excellence in Code, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping software developers deliver more secure products. The idea of the organization is to reduce IT vulnerabilities, improve resistance to attack and protect supply chains by uniting key technology companies.

The group, composed of EMC, Juniper Networks, Microsoft, SAP and Symantec, said it will create and promote a set of development practices and controls that protect software, hardware and services. Officials involved in the project said membership is open to all global software, hardware or IT services providers.