Blue Coat lands BT contract

The deal will see BT implement Blue Coat ProxySG appliances to manage its corporate network. Security vendor Blue Coat claimed the solution will allow BT to monitor employee Internet usage, accelerate the delivery of content and applications, reduce bandwidth consumption, and provide a defense against malware including spyware, viruses and other security threats.

Gordon Yule, network security manager for BT stated that the Telco’s desire for a more open policy toward Internet usage required the installation of ProxySG appliances.

“The Blue Coat solution enables us to simultaneously protect our network, create and enforce policy. BT is committed to maximising employees’ access to Internet content and Web applications to enhance their productivity, but we need to balance this with controls to reduce the risk of infections or loss of data,” he said.

According to Craig Stewart, vice president for Blue Coat Europe and Middle East, ProxySG appliances will optimise the speed of business applications across BT’s Wide Area Network (WAN).

“BT can use the same Blue Coat appliances to accelerate and manage applications across the WAN and to distribute video throughout its organisation,” he said.

Blue Coat ProxySG appliances are currently being deployed at BT’s facilities in the UK, however there are plans to take the solution to other BT locations throughout the world.