Thursday, 30 September 2004 11:33 EST

CUPERTINO, Calif. – Sept. 29, 2004 - Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC), the global leader in information security, today announced that its event collection technology used with Symantec Managed Security Services, received OPSEC™ (Open Platform for Security) certification from Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP).

The OPSEC certification ensures seamless integration when Symantec's security experts collect log data from Check Point's industry leading security gateways.. From Symantec's Security Operations Centers (SOCs) around the world, experts are able to analyze security data generated by Check Point VPN-1 Pro, an integrated VPN and firewall gateway, to identify suspicious network activity, investigate and prioritize each incident, and then initiate a response with actionable guidance based on customer escalation procedures.

Symantec has been a long-time partner of Check Point's OPSEC Alliance, the industry's leading open, multi-vendor security framework. Currently, 80 percent of the devices monitored and managed by Symantec Managed Security Services are non-Symantec products. By offering vendor neutrality across a range of platforms including Check Point, Cisco, NetScreen, ISS, Enterasys, Snort, Sourcefire, and Symantec, Symantec Managed Security Services strengthens an organization's security infrastructure while maximizing their return on existing investments.

"It is unrealistic to think that any world class enterprise uses only one vendor's security technology in order to secure their environment," said Grant Geyer, vice president of Symantec Delivery, Response and Managed Security Services. "Achieving OPSEC certification is further validation of Symantec Managed Security Services' commitment to providing flexible, vendor-neutral security services to help reduce the overall security risk faced by our customers. Our goal is to drive our operations based upon our customers needs and requirements-regardless of what solutions they're using."

Part of Symantec's Enterprise Security Services, Symantec Managed Security Services leverages global intelligence to offer fast and accurate analysis of security data to protect customers against emerging threats and reduce overall security risk. Its 24x7 real-time services enhance an organization's information security posture through continuous monitoring and management, expert analysis, and immediate response to potential security threats. In addition, Symantec's SOCs have been fully audited and certified by independent third parties to meet industry leading standards, including BS7799 certification and SAS70 Type II audits.

About Symantec
Symantec is the global leader in information security providing a broad range of software, appliances and services designed to help individuals, small and mid-sized businesses, and large enterprises secure and manage their IT infrastructure. Symantec's Norton brand of products is the worldwide leader in consumer security and problem-solving solutions. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has operations in more than 35 countries. More information is available at www.symantec.com.

About Check Point's OPSEC(TM)
OPSEC (Open Platform for Security) is the industry's open, multi-vendor security framework. With over 350 partners, OPSEC guarantees customers the broadest choice of best-of-breed integrated applications and deployment platforms that support Check Point's Perimeter, Internal and Web security solutions. Products that carry the OPSEC Certified seal have been tested to guarantee integration and interoperability, ensuring maximum protection for business communications and resources for corporate networks and applications, remote employees, branch offices and partner extranets. For complete OPSEC Alliance program information, including partner and product listings, the freely available OPSEC SDK (software development kit) and evaluation versions of OPSEC Certified products, visit http://www.opsec.com.