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Symantec CEO: Source Code Reviews Pose Unacceptable Risk (reuters.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the security-risk dept.

In an exclusive report from Reuters, Symantec's CEO says it is no longer allowing governments to review the source code of its software because of fears the agreements would compromise the security of its products. From the report: Tech companies have been under increasing pressure to allow the Russian government to examine source code, the closely guarded inner workings of software, in exchange for approvals to sell products in Russia. Symantec's decision highlights a growing tension for U.S. technology companies that must weigh their role as protectors of U.S. cybersecurity as they pursue business with some of Washington's adversaries, including Russia and China, according to security experts. While Symantec once allowed the reviews, Clark said that he now sees the security threats as too great. At a time of increased nation-state hacking, Symantec concluded the risk of losing customer confidence by allowing reviews was not worth the business the company could win, he said.

1 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. Don't Waste Your Money by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Step 1: US Company, Equifax allows personal ID data for 100's of millions of people to be stolen and nobody seems to care.

    Step 2: US Government condemns Kaspersky Labs for potentially leaking information to the Russians. Thus destroying Kaspersky's US market.

    Step 3: Symantec prohibits government source code reviews. Thus insuring an NSA backdoor.

    So, no matter what you do, you are screwed.
    There is clearly no such thing as Cyber Security.
    Put your money on Molson beer.
    It is a much better investment.