As a result of rising threats from USB devices coming into its network, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) has turned to Biodata IT and its Kaspersky security solution to assist in securing its technology assets.
UJ, a leading South African higher education institution, was established in January 2005 as the result of the merger of the Rand Afrikaans University, Vista University and the Technikon Witwatersrand. UJ's four campuses include Auckland Park Bunting Road Campus, Auckland Park Kingsway Campus, Doornfontein Campus, and the Soweto Campus. The merged entity has nine faculties with approximately 49 000 full-time students and more than 3 000 permanent employees.
“We had a security solution deployed in our network, but were facing rising reports of viruses entering our network through the USB devices that students use in the computer labs,” says Chelma Sliep, Solutions Delivery Manager at UJ. “We went out to tender to find a solution to assist us in closing the security loop, and reviewed three different vendors, after which we settled on Kaspersky from Biodata IT.”
“Biodata IT South Africa proposed the Kaspersky Solution and UJ invested in 10 000 licences of the Kaspersky Business Space Security product line, which is designed to protect corporate networks. With the new security solution, the institution will now be able to take advantage of a system that offers security to all network nodes, including its servers and desktop computers, for staff and in its computer labs. In addition it will also be able to benefit from signature-based protection, a new anti-virus engine, centralised management, security for remote users, and a product that integrates with third party solutions,” says Jan De Lange, Managing Director of Biodata IT.
The Kaspersky solution is currently being rolled out by Biodata and its reseller and business partner Infocure, right throughout UJ's client and server environments, including all computers accessed by staff and students.
“The solution is a much better fit for our business; I am already getting positive results from the labs where it has already been installed and the influx of viruses from USB devices and memory sticks have been reduced dramatically. This is particularly significant for modern higher education institutions like ourselves where we are relying more and more on computer-based education systems,” adds Sliep.
As per the agreement, Biodata is currently providing intensive client training on the software as part of a skills transfer project, as well as technical support, reseller training, and the training of all desktop engineers at UJ.
“UJ is a very progressive higher education institution that relies heavily on its technology systems to provide superior education. We are ecstatic that the Kaspersky Business Space Security product is meeting and exceeding its needs,” ends Jan De Lange, Managing Director of Biodata.
To contact at UJ:
Chelma Sliep
Solutions Delivery Manager
University of Johannesburg
chelmap@uj.ac.za
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