OU turns to Sybari to block viruses and spam

The Open University has turned to Sybari Software to protect its staff's email from spam and viruses.

One of the world's largest virtual learning organisations - even before the web took education onto another level - the OU will roll out the technology to 6,500 users, who deal with over 200,000 students.

Maria Robinson, the OU's mail systems manager, said in a statement: "With so many students to support, being able to depend on the security of our email systems is vital - our staff rely on email. But alongside reliability, our priorities were ease of use and installation - and value."

The contract is thought to be worth less than £50,000 to Sybari - given discounts that are common for customers in education - but the vendor believes the win is a major endorsement of its technology, which includes virus-scanning engines from vendors such as Kaspersky Labs and Network Associates.

Over 20 per cent of all part-time students in the UK study with the OU.