Scott Bekker of ENT News writes:

Microsoft posted the release candidate version of Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 to its Download Center on Monday.

Windows Server 2003 SP1 is similar to Windows XP Service Pack 2 in that it brings new security functionality to the underlying operating system in addition to security fixes and performance improvements.

Security improvements in SP1 include a Security Configuration Wizard, porting of the Windows Firewall from Windows XP to Windows Server 2003 and new quarantining functionality for RAS and VPN connections. Security is also being improved through support for Data Execution Prevention, boot-time network protection for clean installs and a new wave of security guidance.