Microsoft has detailed a list of security vendors that have Vista-compatible versions of products ready for the wider availability of its new operating system at the end of January.

While Vista has been designed to be much more secure than earlier Windows versions, Microsoft said still sees third-party security tools as important and worked closely with partners to provide technical support resources during the platform's development.

“Windows Vista is the most secure operating system we’ve ever built, and our security partners continue to play a vital role in adding layers of protection onto the Microsoft Windows platform," said Ben Fathi, corporate vice president of the Security Technology Unit at Microsoft, in a statement.

About a dozen major vendors will have products ready for Vista's January 30th retail availability date, including Symantec, Trend Micro, McAfee and Grisoft. The latest version of Microsoft's own Windows Live OneCare will also launch on the same date.