SophosLabs partners with Microsoft to protect users from emerging threats

Sophos selected to join the Microsoft Active Protections Program

Singapore. October 20, 2008 – IT security and control firm Sophos will now receive advanced information from Microsoft about its monthly security bulletins to anticipate emerging threats and provide mutual customers with more timely protection.

SophosLabs, Sophos's global network of highly skilled researchers and analysts, has joined the Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP), and will be provided with vulnerability information in advance of Microsoft’s monthly security update release to offer protection to customers efficiently and effectively. The information is shared in a secure and confidential manner to prevent it from being used maliciously.

“Microsoft’s new initiative should be applauded as it will provide us with valuable information that we can use to update our products and ensure our mutual customers are defended against new vulnerabilities,” said Mark Harris, global director of SophosLabs at Sophos. “With cybercriminals constantly on the look for new vectors of attack, it is important for the industry to work together to keep ahead of the fraudsters. MAPP is a strong step in the right direction.”

By receiving vulnerability information earlier, Sophos will be able to give its customers a higher level of protection.

“There’s more to the Microsoft Security Response Centre than security updates – we’re working to protect customers from emerging threats,” said Mark Miller, director of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing product management. “The Microsoft Active Protections Program is one example of how Microsoft is continuing to work with partners to help better protect our mutual customers and deliver some of the world’s best security response.”

Sophos regularly publishes information for companies about Microsoft’s monthly security updates, and continues to recommend that all customers evaluate, test and deploy Microsoft’s security updates in a timely manner to help prevent the exploitation of vulnerabilities. For more information about the Microsoft Active Protections Program visit: http://www.microsoft.com/security/msrc/mapp/overview.mspx