Symantec To Secure Digital Hub Schools With Software And Services Donation
Dublin, Ireland July 28th 2004 – Symantec, the world leader in information security, today announced an agreement with The Digital Hub in Dublin to donate security technology and services to 15 schools participating in the Diageo Liberties Learning Initiative within the Liberties/Coombe area. The software is available to the eleven primary and four post primary schools with immediate effect.
Welcoming today’s announcement Mr Dermot Ahern, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources said, “With the imminent roll out of broadband to all Irish schools, internet security is a major issue. We want school children to have a safe engaging and rewarding education experience, facilitated by broadband digital media content and technology. Protecting children and young people from unsuitable content and the effects of malicious computer code while at school is very important. I am delighted that Symantec has partnered with The Digital Hub to develop an early implementation of a classroom digital media environment which will be a prototype for the national programme.”
Austin McCabe, managing director at Symantec Dublin, says, “Symantec is an active investor in Dublin, and has had a significant presence in Ireland for over ten years. Symantec wants to invest in preparing the young people for the digital future. By ensuring these schools have secure access to the Internet, we will be successfully contributing to the creation of a technologically aware generation who will be better positioned to not only cross, but hopefully close, the digital divide.”
The agreement will result in the deployment of two of Symantec’s comprehensive security products into schools to equip the computers with several levels of protection to ensure complete defense. The product, Symantec Client Security, will be delivered onto every desktop computer within the schools, while Symantec Antivirus Enterprise Edition will be implemented at the server level to provide comprehensive layered security. Both sets of products include a personal firewall, intrusion detection, anti-virus, anti-spam and content filtering software.
In addition to the security technology, Symantec will also provide the schools within the Digital Hub with Symantec DeepSight Threat Management System for a trial period of six months. This will provide an early alerting service to the IT staff within the schools, warning them of vulnerabilities or new threats to the security of their networks. Through sensors deployed on the network, Symantec will be able to provide the schools with an on-going comprehensive overview of the threats facing their schools.
Welcoming the sponsorship from Symantec, Mr Philip Flynn, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Hub Development Agency said, ” We are delighted to partner with Symantec on this innovative programme. As a global leader in the information security market we are particularly pleased that they have chosen the schools in The Digital Hub for their early alerting services. Today’s announcement is a significant addition to our partnership programme which already includes leading names such as Diageo, Smart Telecom, Microsoft and HP.”
The agreement between Symantec and The Digital Hub Development Agency for the software will be reviewed in two years time when there will be the opportunity for it to be renewed. According to the agreement, Symantec will be providing the software, daily antivirus and security updates via the Internet, access to scan engines and technical support via their help desk..
About The Digital Hub
The Digital Hub is an Irish Government initiative to create an International centre of excellence for knowledge, innovation and creativity focused on digital content and technology enterprises. The nucleus of a vibrant Digital Media enterprise cluster has successfully been established with 35 companies across the digital content value chain. Research groups for universities and institutes, community groups and schools form the wider digitally connected community.
The Diageo Liberties Learning Initiative (DLLI) was established by The Digital Hub in 2002. It is an innovative approach that ensures that people within the Liberties/Coombe area, which is one of Ireland’s oldest communities, experience how digital media can enhance their lives. As well as providing state-of-the-art digital education initiatives to local schools and the wider community, the Diageo Liberties Learning Initiative reflects the national priorities of building a knowledge-based society and addressing the digital divide.
About Symantec
Symantec is the global leader in information security providing a broad range of software, appliances and services designed to help individuals, small and mid-sized businesses, and large enterprises secure and manage their IT infrastructure. Symantec’s Norton brand of products is the worldwide leader in consumer security and problem-solving solutions. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has operations in more than 35 countries. More information is available at www.symantec.com.