Sophos and Criston partner to provide a vulnerability audit, end-point security and PC lifecycle management solution including compliance and Network Access Control (NAC)

Paris, May 11th 2008 - Sophos, world leader in Integrated Risk Management, and Criston, leading provider of IT & Security Management Solutions, today announced the launch of their joint solution for vulnerability audit, end-point protection, PC lifecycle management and Network Access Control (NAC).

A recent study headed by Sophos reports that two thirds of all enterprise machines are non-compliant to security policy; with out-of-date anti-virus protection, missing critical software updates, disabled firewalls and unauthorized hosted applications. The ever-increasing use of laptops and guest computers, due to staff mobility and outsourcing, emphasizes the need for Optimal Configuration Management and Comprehensive Enterprise Network Access Control.

The integration of Criston Precision with Sophos Endpoint Security and Control offers unprecedented solution, providing fully detailed insight of machine status: hardware and software assessment, vunerability and patch management, protection checks and updates (firewalls, anti-virus).

This comprehensive real-time endpoint management ensures risk reduction through:

 threat detection and protection (anti-virus, firewall, application and peripheral policy, network access control)
 security breach detection and protection (vulnerability audit and remediation, patch and configuration management,)
 threat impact assessment (backups, tracking, alerts)

“Sophos and Criston have very similar enterprise cultures, customer-centric and constantly pursuing the goal of ready-to-go solutions”, says Philippe Dufour, Business Development Manager of Sophos France. “This common strategy, and fully complementary solutions, provide integrated and efficient coverage for enterprise network security and IT management”.

“This partnership fits perfectly to Criston’s IT and security management strategy. Solution complementarities and seamless integration ensure unique added value to our integration partners, and streamlined security policy configuration and management to our customers”, says Giorgio Gheri, Criston’s International Business Development Manager. ”

About Criston

Founded in 1997, Criston (criston.com) is a leading provider of IT & Security Management Solutions. Based on this concept, Criston believes that “Securing IT starts by managing IT”. On this basis, Criston helps organisations understand the state of their IT infrastructure, assess risk, remediate vulnerabilities and put controls and processes in place to make sure the infrastructure – from servers to desktops and mobile devices – is not only secure and available but also compliant with relevant standards. Criston has offices in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan and China and partner networks in more than 20 countries worldwide.

About Sophos

Sophos (sophos.com) 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.