Case study: UK schools

Since the UK government introduced its National Grid for Learning scheme in 1998, Sophos has been actively working with Local Education Authorities (LEAs) and schools to raise awareness of the virus threat. As one of the most financially feasible security solutions, Sophos Anti-Virus is now used in more than 50% of the schools in England and Wales and throughout Northern Ireland.

"Sophos Anti-Virus allows us to offer our pupils the freedom to learn using the Birmingham Grid for Learning while protecting them from the real dangers of the virus threat."
Derek Potter, ICT Services Officer, Learning & Culture IT, Birmingham LEA

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Fact file

Business challenge

• Computers in most schools are used for day-to-day administrative tasks and for storing a variety of sensitive data, such as pupil records.
• Many school computers are linked to community and civic networks, and the repercussions of a school becoming infected by a virus could spread far beyond the school gates.

Technology solution

• Sophos Anti-Virus can be bought either by individual schools or by LEAs to cover all the computers in multiple schools. All licenses include 24-hour technical support via email or telephone.
• In most cases, schools receive virus updates via Sophos Enterprise Console, reducing the amount of administration required and ensuring that remote schools can maintain the same level of protection.

Business results

• As well as introducing children to the need for sound anti-virus measures, a suite of special licenses enable schools to choose the most cost-effective anti-virus solution for their needs.