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Sophos to drop Quadsys after Five Avoid Jail

Enid Blyton plot twist: Former Platinum Partner kicked to the curb

Sophos has finally “discontinued” its relationship with security reseller Quadsys after five of its staffers, three of whom were directors of the company, were sentenced for offences committed under the Computer Misuse Act last Friday.

The Quadsys Five were first charged in August 2015, but while some vendors were quick to terminate their dealings with Quadsys — Kaspersky Labs being the first to publicly rip up its contract in September — others, such as Sophos, continued to recommend that customers buy their security software from the reseller.

Sophos has only today confirmed to The Register that it is “discontinuing its relationship” with Quadsys “following the sentencing of its directors and several members of staff for an offence under the Computer Misuse Act last Friday.”

Sophos had promoted Quadsys to a Platinum Partner just nine days after the five entered their guilty pleas.

At the time of publication, Oxford-based Quadsys is still listed on Sophos' partner locator tool.

Sophos explained: “We felt that it was inappropriate both to comment or to make a decision on our business dealings with Quadsys until the full facts were known and the case had concluded,” although not all activity was suspended during the investigation.

“Now that this information is in the public domain and the sentence has been passed we have decided to cease any further dealings with the company and the convicted individuals," Sophos continued. "We will be happy to talk individually to any Sophos customers who have purchased from Quadsys and are concerned about what this move means for them.”

Sensitive data, including pricing information, was stolen from a rival security reseller, which The Register has revealed was Oxfordshire-based ITB. We will publish an interview with ITB later this week. ®

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