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Protection for employees at home

JSWVLCM

Hi, I'm new here and my apologies if the answer has already been posted.

We've got a customer who called in said that they would like to create a second repository so that their employees working from home can install the Sophos Security Software on their home computers themselves.

After reading through http://www.sophos.com/en-us/medialibrary/PDFs/documentation/sec_52_asgeng.pdf ..in section 17 - Protecting standalone computers it states:

Some computers are never on the network and are not easy to access, for example computers that staff use at home. To protect these computers, you ask each user to install Sophos security software individually using a “standalone” installer. The software is then kept up to date via the internet.

There are two possible approaches:


■ The user can download the software from www.sophos.com/en-us/support/downloads/standalone-installers/esc-for-windows-2000-up.aspx.  They install the software and configure it to update from Sophos.


■ You can republish the software and all subsequent updates on your own website. The user downloads the software from that website, installs it, and configures it to update from that website. For information on how to republish Sophos updates on your own website, go to www.sophos.com/en-us/support/knowledgebase/38238.aspx.

Is this the information I should provide to the customer?  

I forgot to ask them if they are expecting those clients to show up in their console and be managed there but I can ask them.

Thanks!

Joe

:40493


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  • 0

    Hello Joe,

    (are you a partner or reseller?)

    working from home vs. on their home computers - is always a source of confusion :smileyvery-happy:. Sophos isn't nit-picky but the spirit of the license is (as far as I understand it - I'm neither Sophos nor lawyer): If the devices are "private" then the customer's infrastructure must be used, otherwise updates from Sophos are acceptable. Customer should be aware that when they choose install the software and configure it to update from Sophos they (have to) give the license credentials to their employees.

    The - IMO - better option is to use the Deployment Packager (please see How to create a standalone or custom installer package - note: at the moment the download link is incorrect, it should be http://www.sophos.com/en-us/support/downloads/console/sophos-deployment-packager.aspx).

    If they want to manage the computers either VPN or an equivalent must be used or they need an outward facing message relay. [Edit] Apart from making two typos I've forgot to mention the upcoming SaaS (aka Sophos Cloud) which provides management of all endpoints regardless of their whereabouts.[/Edit]

    Christian

    :40527
  • 0

    Hi Joe,

    I believe that Sophos have what they called free for home use license . And as suggested, we can install the standalone version of Sophos for staff home use. Using stand alone version meaning that the client will not be managed on the Enterprise Console so you didn't have to set any RMS communication , and will not be bother by the error that might appear on the console as the clients have been not updated, not connected etc.

    The choice for updating are using the Sophos Update, which means that the company have to "share" the license information(username and password) , or you can create your update website ( Web CID) and publish it on the Internet.

    Note : CMIIW, if you have the enterprise manager, you can also create a standalone installer to avoid sharing license information and let the home user update to Sophos.

    regards,

    Antonius

    :40529
  • 0

    Thanks Christian, that's helpful information!  :smileyhappy:

    We are a partner.

    I'll have to get clarification from the customer about whether working from home means on their personal computers or company-issued ones.

    I'll communicate the options you listed when I speak with them today.

    Thanks!

    Joe

    :40535
  • 0

    Antonius, great information!

    Yes, like I said previously, I'll communicate these deployment options to the customer and see which method they prefer.

    Thanks for your response!

    Joe

    :40537
  • 0

    Ok, I spoke with the customer this morning and they said they would prefer to create a custom installation package for their employees working from home using their personal computers.

    I provided them with the instructions for that and also shared URL's referenced in this post.

    Thanks again for your help!

    Joe

    :40539
  • 0

    Hi all. My work is a Sophos Partnner. We also have our own 10 user licence for Enterprice Console / Endpoint... as i 1 licence per worksation. Does this "Home Use" agreement mean each staff member can legally use his workstation licence on 1 machine @ home?

    :41133
  • 0

    Hello Murdo,

    (I'm not Sophos so if you want a personal authoritative you'd have to turn to your contact at Sophos) the license details can be found following the Legal link on the very last line on all pages of the Sophos site, it's concise and clear (note the requirement Licensee shall be responsible for support and the distribution of Upgrades and Updates which means that home users must not update directly from Sophos). Specifically for the Endpoint products please see also Sophos licenses and what components are included with each which licenses permit Employee home use.  

    Christian

    :41137