Sophos Launches Security Industry's First Fully-Integrated Anti-Virus and Application Control Solution
Growing concern among system administrators about potential impact of VoIP, IM and P2P on enterprise networks
BOSTON, Sept. 27 // -- Sophos, the world leader in protecting businesses against viruses, spyware and spam, today announced the launch of new Application Control features that allow system administrators to selectively block unauthorized VoIP, peer-to-peer (P2P) and Instant Messaging (IM) applications that can present risks to company data and networks.
The new capabilities integrate seamlessly into Sophos Anti-Virus, version 6, providing users with a universal desktop client that addresses a diverse range of security and productivity challenges. Sophos's latest offering comes in response to security and efficiency concerns resulting from the uncontrolled adoption of VoIP, P2P and IM in the enterprise.
A survey conducted earlier this month by Sophos reflects the serious concern that uncontrolled applications are causing system administrators. For example, 86.1 percent of respondents said they want the opportunity to block VoIP applications, with 62.8 percent indicating it is essential (1).
"Our guests and their experience are our highest priority and they expect system availability and information security. Therefore, a centrally managed, integrated solution which protects our systems from malware is of the utmost importance," said Cris Williams, Manager of Infrastructure Technologies at Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Introducing application control to that solution would further improve our threat management stance by limiting exposure to our networks."
"Clearly enterprises want to stop employees from running unauthorized programs that eat up bandwidth, violate security policies or result in data leakage. This is a problem that wants to be solved, and Sophos has a simple solution," said Steve Munford, CEO of Sophos. "Sophos gives companies the tools to combat a growing problem without having to roll out new software or learn how to use a new management console. Our goal is to provide enterprises with a single management console and universal client for both security and general desktop management."
Sophos's solution gives system administrators the power to selectively allow or block usage of applications by individuals or groups. As a result, they can implement flexible policies that reflect the diverse needs of groups across the enterprise.
"While much of the attention is about the external threat, individuals inside the enterprise have the potential to cause the largest security problems," said Brian Burke of IDC. "System Administrators need a simple, flexible solution that not only ensures peace of mind, but guarantees the ability to develop and enforce policies that work for all parts of the enterprise. Sophos is accomplishing this by offering companies all the functionality within its existing enterprise solution along added protection to the core offering."
Pricing and Availability:
Application Control is an optional feature of Sophos Anti-Virus, version 6, available to both new and existing customers. Existing customers of Sophos Anti-Virus for Windows 2000/XP/2003, version 6, can use this new feature at no additional charge. New customers have the option to deploy Sophos Anti-Virus either with or without Application Control.
More information can be found at http://www.sophos.com/security/topic/application-control.html.
Starting on September 27, Sophos will offer an educational podcast on Application Control. Access to the podcast is available at http://www.sophos.com/podcasts
About Sophos
Sophos is a world leader in integrated threat management solutions, protecting against known and unknown malware, spyware, intrusions, unwanted applications, spam and policy abuse for business, education and government. Sophos' reliably engineered, easy-to-operate products protect more than 35 million users in more than 150 countries. Through 20 years' experience and a global network of threat analysis centers, the company responds rapidly to emerging threats -- no matter how complex -- and achieves the highest levels of customer satisfaction in the industry.
(1) Source: Sophos online poll, 460 respondents, September 2006
For More Information Contact:
Lisa Coulouris
Racepoint Group
781-487-4612
lcoulouris@racepointgroup.com
Ronald O'Brien
Sophos, Inc.
781-973-1128 (o)
978-259-8017 (m)
ron.obrien@sophos.com
Source: Sophos, Inc.
Web site: http://www.sophos.com/
