Sophos and Stalker Software Team Up for Virus Protection

Sophos, a provider in network security and Stalker Software, the technology leader in email, collaboration, and real-time communication solutions, today announced a formal partnership.

With this agreement, Stalker Software offers CommuniGate Pro messaging users a sophisticated and comprehensive anti-virus solution. Stalker Software and Sophos joined forces in response to demand in the Japanese market from partners as well as to the needs of customers running on HP Tru64 and OpenVMS, platforms that have historically been neglected by the anti-virus software industry.

SophosLabs™, a global network of virus and spam analysis centers, which provide 24-hour protection against the latest threats, analyzed and protected against more than 1,200 new viruses over the past two months. Using the Sophos virus scanning technology, Stalker Software has created a plug-in for the CommuniGate Pro messaging server to provide protected email connectivity for its more than 58 million users.

"Malicious threats have increased in volume, complexity and are spreading between business networks within seconds," said Richard Baldry, Head of Strategic Alliances at Sophos.

Stalker's Japan operations have grown considerably in the last 6 months and new partnerships such as Computer Systems Engineering Co., Ltd. (CSE), a major Japanese distributor, have initiated the need to offer the popular Sophos virus detection engine for the CommuniGate Pro Real-Time Communications server for customers in these regions.

In addition, Stalker's telecommunication and service provider customers typically support millions of accounts on many platforms, including the popular HP Tru64, and require a reliable anti-virus solution.

"To remain competitive and effective, organizations must protect their internet connections from virus disruptions. Stalker provides our customers with the best choices for their important decisions regarding security and protection," said Vladimir Butenko, CEO of Stalker Software.

"Our strategy of partnering and integrating with leading anti-virus products such as Sophos answers these challenges and provides our customers with the most aggressive and current virus protection available on the market."