Symantec off the list for all PSB offices nationwide

Symantec, manufacturers of the Norton series of software products including Norton Anti-Virus, has its worldwide headquarters in Cupertino, Silicon Valley, close to San Jose in California.[Photo/IC]

Security software firm latest US company to be banned by govt

Symantec Corp, a United States security software company, was added to the latest do-not-use list by the Chinese government because of product vulnerabilities that may lead to information leakage.

Analysts argued China may find it difficult to replace Symantec's products because of a perceived technology gap.

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An internal document posted online showed the Ministry of Public Security had ordered its branches nationwide to delete Symantec's data loss prevention products because the products' loopholes could pose information risks.

Chinese news site sohu.com said the public security bureau also banned the California-based company's DLP products in future government procurement projects.

Symantec dismissed the claims, saying its products do not have loopholes.

"We are investigating the report and talking with the government," said a company statement sent to China Daily on Thursday evening.

"Symantec has a loophole detection team to ensure product safety," it said.

Although the government document was not confirmed as authentic, it is clear China is entering an era when it will favor more homegrown information technology products and services.

Wang Pei, research manager at IDC China's enterprise system and software research group, said Symantec's shoes will be hard for Chinese firms to fill.

"In the DLP market, Symantec is a solid No 1 with big technology advantages," said Wang, adding that the company's software can actively detect external threats while Chinese companies are still working on encryption methods, a passive protection technology.