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Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) is now the recommended and preferred malware protection solution for all computers managed by UBC IT.  This solution will replace Sophos Antivirus for all UBC supported desktops and laptops, with the UBC Sophos Antivirus license expiring July 29, 2020. 

What does this mean?

Computers provided by UBC Okanagan – Windows and Mac (those with a UBC asset tag - apart from a small number of workstations that may be attached to research instruments)– will automatically have Sophos uninstalled and Cisco AMP installed starting in May in advance of the Sophos expiration.

UBC IT (Vancouver and Okanagan) will ensure that your UBC provided computer has up-to-date malware protection solution installed. The software is updated automatically and no action is required on your part to keep your software up-to-date and compliant with UBC’s Information Security Standard #07 (Securing Computing and Mobile Storage computers / Media) .

The roll out will be phased to ensure the transition is smooth and largely invisible to users. Notification will not be sent when the transition happens – it will occur silently in the background.

The only visible difference will be a new icon in the task tray (click here for detailed screenshots for different operations systems). 

Any new devices with the new operating system rolled out earlier this year have already been updated with Cisco AMP.

Some users have been identified as being at higher risk of attack by the UBC Cybersecurity Team. These users will have CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor installed on their UBC managed devices by UBC IT Okanagan instead of Cisco AMP. No action is required by these users for this alternative solution and the install will be completely invisible to these users.

Personal Devices

Please note: The following is for informational purposes only, as UBC IT Okanagan does not provide support for personal devices.

If you have used the UBC license for Sophos on a personally-owned computer, you can view a list of popular no-cost antivirus alternatives for personal devices recommended by UBC IT. 

Why is this important?

Anti-malware software (also known as antivirus software) is an important tool to help prevent cyber-attacks. UBC’s Information Security Standard #7 (Securing Computing and Mobile Storage computers / Media) requires that computing devices used for University Business must have up-to-date anti-malware software installed at all times, configured to update at least once per day.

This initiative is a planned upgrade for the whole university and is not part of the increased security precautions launched recently to combat the increasing risk of cyber attacks. However UBC IT Okanagan is coordinating this upgrade with the other security controls being deployed. For a full list and updated details on the increased cyber security matters, visit the Privacy Matters website.

Questions?

For more information on the upgrade, including frequently asked questions and technical references, please visit this page on the Cybersecurity Confidential Communications site (CWL login required) or contact privacy.matters@ubc.ca if you have any further questions.