South African schools with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure are assured of a comprehensive security product, to protect them against any computer viruses.
This is after a globally renowned software company, Symantec, renewed a donation of security technology of R260 million to schools countrywide.
The Symantec Antivirus Enterprise Edition includes personal firewall, intrusion detection, anti-virus, anti-spam and content filtering software to ensure the level of protection for complete defence.
Education Department Deputy Minister Enver Surty and Andrew Douglas Vice-President, Emerging Region at Symantec signed an agreement on Monday to consolidate the three-year agreement for the anti-virus product to be enforced.
The relationship between the two parties began in January 2004. According to the agreement, Symantec will provide the software, daily virus definition updates via the internet, access to scan engines and 24 hours technical support via their help desk.
Deputy Minister Surty said government was committed to providing modern technologies to schools to enhance the quality of leaning and teaching.
“We are very committed to e-learning,” he said.The education department’s plan, he said is that by 2013 all schools should have been provided with ICT, saying government was spending billions in enhancing connectivity in the country.
He added that connectivity was a challenge in the country because some provinces do not have connectivity, making it hard to use ICT.”Gauteng and Western Cape find it easy to use ICT because easy connectivity,” he said. Mr Surty commended Symantec for their social responsibility in respect to the education sector. Vice-President, Emerging Region at Symantec Andrew Douglas said his company was dedicated to being an agent of positive change in communities they operate in. “It is this dedication that allows Symantec and its partnership with community and governmental organisations to address pressing social needs, with a focus on the youth and education,” he said.
This donation, he added, is part of the Symantec’s South African Software Donation Programme, which allows the company to play its part in preparing the country and its youth for a digital future.
“Symantec hopes to successfully contribute to the creation of a techno-savvy generation who will be better prepared than any generation previously to not only cross but hopefully close the digital divide.”
Source: BuaNews
