Sophos Wins Prestigious 2011 CRN Annual Report Card

Overall Winner in Client Security Software Category; Recognized as "Best of the Best" for Product Innovation and Support

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - Aug 12, 2011) - IT security and data protection company Sophos today announced it was named the Overall Winner of the Client Security Software category in Everything Channel's prestigious 2011 CRN Annual Report Card (ARC). The CRN Annual Report Card serves as a definitive benchmark of relationships between vendors and channel partners and maintains the industry standard for measuring excellence within the channel community.

Everything Channel recognizes Sophos with the overall win, as well as two sub-category wins for product innovation and support. Steve Hale, Sophos Vice President of Global Channels, and Matt Fogelgren, Director of North American Channel Sales, accepted the honor on August 11^th at the 2011 XChange Americas conference in Denver, Colo.

The Everything Channel ARC research team surveyed more than 3,600 solution providers across 21 categories to evaluate the satisfaction they have with vendors' products, support and channel programs. Winners are then selected to the Annual Report Card and presented with awards at the annual XChange Americas conference. To view a slideshow of all the organizations named to the 2011 ARC visit www.crn.com.

"We are dedicated to make doing business with us better than with any other company, and are committed to the success of our partners," said Steve Hale, Vice President of Global Channels at Sophos. "This award is a testament to the trust that our partners have placed in us, our leading security solutions, and how we support our partners and our customers. Our partners have contributed to our success and we look forward to continuing to grow our partner relationships."

Threats and malware are evolving faster than ever, and companies are struggling to protect users and data from these increasingly complex security threats. Sophos partners offer complete protection including endpoint, Web, email, encryption, mobile and network solutions to customers. Sophos continues to make substantial investments in the channel, and channel partners benefit from programs and support pre- and post-sales by dedicated channel account resources.

"When it comes to the strength of relationships, quality of products and return on partner programs, solution providers want to hear from their fellow VARs about the IT vendors that consistently exceed expectations," said Kelley Damore, vice president, editorial director, Everything Channel. "The Annual Report Card gives solution providers the opportunity to share feedback and recognize the vendors who truly demonstrate channel excellence. We congratulate Sophos for being recognized as the best of the best."