Queens IT: End of Support for Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP)

2014 May 30

Queen's ITServices would like to announce that Microsoft System Center Endpoint Protection (SCEP) has replaced Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) as the licensed version of antivirus software on campus.

The current Microsoft volume licence includes licences for SCEP, which means that we do not require another paid antivirus program.

When? Now!

All licensed users are asked to install SCEP now to ensure the highest level of protection against viruses and malware. Symantec virus definitions will no longer be updated as of January 2015 and the IT Support Centre will direct users reporting issues with SEP to install SCEP to replace it.

Licensed users - Who is eligible?

Queen's faculty, staff and grad students are all licensed to install Microsoft System Center Endpoint Protection (SCEP). A link to download the installer is available in the Software Centre of MyQueensU.

Undergraduate students, retirees and alumni are not covered by the licensing agreement and are ineligible to install SCEP. ITServices recommends the following alternatives for unlicensed users:

  • Windows 7 users can download Microsoft Security Essentials for free.
  • Windows 8 comes pre-installed with Windows Defender and does not require you to install Security Essentials.
  • Mac OS X users are encouraged to source an antivirus product of their choice. The Antivirus Software page has links to assist unlicensed users in sourcing both free and purchased versions of antivirus software.

    antivirus2014may