The release of Symantec Client Security 3.1 is a huge step forward in desktop security software from what is currently in use. Symantec Client Security (SCS) includes the same antivirus application already distributed (Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition 10) along with a managed desktop firewall and intrusion detection and prevention system. Along with these additions come huge changes in the deployment infrastructure. These additions and changes are explained below:

New Components

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SCS includes three applications that work together to increase the desktop’s protection from attack.

1. Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition

2. Symantec Client Firewall

3. Intrustion Detection and Prevention System

These three components communicate with each other and coordinate their activities to identify and block attacks. Although you are already familiar with the antivirus aspect of this software, the two other pieces may be new to you. The firewall component monitors network traffic and only allows approved applications and network data types to send or receive information from the computer. In many respects it is much like a security guard controlling access to and from a military base. The intrusion detection and prevention system (IDS/IPS) is like a cross between a firewall and antivirus scanner. It is updated with signatures similar to an antivirus application that identify vulnerabilities and suspicious activity. Instead of a security guard, the IDS/IPS is more like a detective that looks for known criminals and investigates suspicious behavior.

New Infrastructure

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The addition of these new components does increase the level of difficulty in implementing SCS compared with SAVCE. Most specifically, the firewall portion of the software can require a significant amount of time to properly train and deploy. For these reasons EduTech has developed solutions that allow us to ease the level of responsibility for installation and management of clients in your school. If you do not wish to operate your own definition server, EduTech can allow you to install the new security client over the Web directly from our servers. This installation will automatically configure your clients to receive firewall policies and definitions from EduTech. No more CDs and no more client configuration are required. You still have the option to operate a definition server of your own, but you are strongly encouraged to read the entire Installation Guide and supporting documents before deploying a solution of this type.

Additional Items

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SCS 3.1 requires Windows 2000 or later. There is currently no Macintosh version nor are earlier versions of Windows supported. These systems can be licensed for earlier versions of the Symantec Antivirus software already distributed (SAVCE 9 for Windows 98 and SAV 10/9 for Mac).

Licensing for Symantec Client Security will continue to be at no cost to ND public K-12 schools. A small fee to cover the license and associated costs is charged to non-public ND K-12 schools using this software.