Symantec Gives Results

CUPERTINO, Calif. -- Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC) today announced the results of a survey showing that awareness is growing among software developers about the need to improve application security and implement a more holistic approach to secure coding. According to a June2006 survey of 400 U.S. based software developers that was commissioned by Symantec, an overwhelming 93 percent felt that secure application development was more of a priority now than three years ago. Also 70 percent indicated that their employers emphasize the importance of application security, 74 percent indicated that security was a high priority in their development process, yet only 29 percent stated that security was always part of the development process.

"Increasing security for applications that will be used by consumers and businesses has become a priority for companies around the world. As the gateway to information over the Internet and internal corporate networks, applications have become a company's greatest asset and, in turn, an attacker's primary objective," said Charlie Johnson, vice president, Symantec Global Consulting Services. "Application security plays a large role in one of the biggest problems plaguing online business as consumers move toward a digital lifestyle."

Appropriate application security requires the use of various tools and procedural methods to ensure deployed applications are adequately protected against external threats. Security measures built into applications and a sound secure application development process minimize the likelihood that hackers will be able to manipulate applications to access, steal, modify, or delete sensitive data.

Symantec's March 2006 Internet Security Threat Report validated the growing trend in industry Web application vulnerabilities and need for more secure applications. Between July and December 2005, 69 percent of vulnerabilities were associated with Web applications, a 15 percent increase over the first half of 2005. Additionally, Symantec documented 40 percent more vulnerabilities in the industry in 2005 than in 2004. During the second half of 2004, Web applications accounted for 49 percent of all vulnerabilities.

Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC)