Security news
Security news28 February 2005
Sophos and Akonix partner to provide virus protection
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Lynnfield, MA and San Diego, CA - Sophos, a global leader in network security and Akonix Systems Inc., the premier provider of solutions for security, control and integration of instant messaging (IM), today announced a partnership that provides Akonix customers with Sophos's best-of-breed protection against harmful, internet-borne viruses, worms and malicious code attacks using Sophos's anti-virus technology.
Akonix will now integrate Sophos's award-winning virus detection engine capabilities onto its leading IM management gateway, Akonix L7 Enterprise. This simple integrated solution will allow customers to scan and block IM-borne worms, viruses, and other malware at the gateway.
Instant messaging security threats come in many different forms including viruses, worms, hoaxes, and adware. Each of these threats range from harmless to extremely dangerous. The Akonix Security Center estimates that there has been more than a 200% increase in virus attacks transmitted through instant messaging systems in the first six weeks of 2005 over the same period last year. Such attacks target users of the major IM networks, such as AOL, ICQ, MSN and Yahoo, as well as IRC and file sharing networks.
"We are excited to be able to provide our customers with the added benefit of Sophos' virus protection as part of our comprehensive security features for instant messaging use in the enterprise," said Peter Shaw, CEO of Akonix Systems, "As IM becomes more critical to business, both security threats and the costs of attacks are increasing. This new capability further enhances Akonix's award-winning products and multi-layered approach to IM security."
Akonix provides a comprehensive solution for compliance, control and security for instant messaging, including unified logging and archiving, integration with leading security infrastructure and unique real-time filtering for IM specific security threats. Anti-virus is an important component of IM security, providing gateway level scanning of IM.
"We are pleased to partner with Akonix to provide their customers with a critical element of multi-layer defense. As threats increase, become more malicious and spread via the IM systems, reliable protection is a must. Sophos' first-class virus protection combined with SophosLabs™, our global network of virus and spam analysis centres, delivers that protection," said Steve Munford, President Sophos, North America. Gateway anti-virus provides an important layer of defense that complements desktop scanning, client updates of security enhancements, and the continued efforts of major IM networks to improve network security.
About Akonix
Akonix is the leading provider of enterprise-class business solutions for leveraging the power of multi-network enterprise instant messaging. Akonix's award-winning products leverage patent-pending core technology, an advanced IM application development platform, and certified strategic partnerships to deliver multi-network management, security, integration and compliance capabilities across all major IM systems, including America Online® AIM® and ICQ®, Microsoft® MSN, Yahoo!® Messenger, Microsoft® Live Communications Server, Reuters Messaging, IBM/Lotus SameTime and Jabber. More than 500 customers in Financial Services, Telecommunications, Energy, Technology, Healthcare and Entertainment depend on Akonix to manage, secure and enable IM for over 700,000 enterprise users. Akonix is the preferred IM management solution of some of the world's largest companies, including Cingular Wireless, EMC and ING. For more information visit the Akonix website.
About Sophos
Sophos enables enterprises all over the world to secure and control their IT infrastructure. Sophos's network access control, endpoint, web and email solutions simplify security to provide integrated defenses against malware, spyware, intrusions, unwanted applications, spam, policy abuse, data leakage and compliance drift. With over 20 years of experience, Sophos protects over 100 million users in nearly 150 countries with its reliably engineered security solutions and services. Recognized for its high level of customer satisfaction and powerful yet easy-to-use solutions, Sophos has received many industry awards, as well as positive reviews and certifications.
Sophos is headquartered in Boston, US and Oxford, UK. More information is available at www.sophos.com
