Symantec Researcher Named a Woman of Influence for Information Security

CUPERTINO, Calif. - Nov. 7, 2005 - Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC) today announced that CSO Magazine and Alta Associates presented Sarah Gordon, senior researcher for Symantec Security Response, with the 2005 Private Solutions Provider Woman of Influence award for information security at the annual Executive Women’s Forum.

Gordon was recognized for her many contributions to the field of information security. As an acknowledged expert on the psychology of virus writers, she has been dedicated to understanding what motivates people to create malicious code. Her ground-breaking research on approaches to information security garnered attention from the White House, the United Nations, major industry conferences, and the media. By investigating the way people think about computers and security, Gordon provided the information security industry with invaluable insight as well as clues as to where future security issues lay.

“By changing the way Symantec examines important issues and trends, Sarah’s innovative research is instrumental in maintaining Symantec’s leadership position in protecting our customers from future security threats,” said Vincent Weafer, senior director of development at Symantec. “Our criterion for classifying a wide variety of security risks, for example, was greatly influenced by her work.”

Gordon has been influential in shaping the world of computer information security outside of Symantec as well. She served as director for The WildList Organization International and the European Institute for Computer Anti-Virus Research (EICAR), organizations concerned with uniting efforts against the writing and proliferation of malicious code, computer crime and fraud, and exploitation of personal data on computers or networks.

“Alta Associates and CSO Magazine have established a tradition of recognizing and honoring excellence in the field of information security, risk management, and privacy with our annual Women of Influence Awards,” said Joyce Brocaglia, founder of the Executive Women’s Forum for Information Security. “We are proud to honor this year’s winners for their outstanding professional accomplishments, their landmark achievements in the security sector, and for demonstrating the impact and effectiveness of professional women as a whole.”

This is the third, consecutive year that a Symantec executive was honored at the event. Last year, the award went to Linda McCarthy, executive security advisor for Symantec, who was recognized for her many contributions to the field of information security, including her influential role in creating Symantec Press and her work in mentoring information security professionals. Symantec Press stands as a resource for all information security professionals and is available to authors currently writing or thinking about authoring a security-related book.

The Women of Influence Awards are a component of Alta Associates’ annual Executive Women’s Forum (www.infosecuritywomen.com), an elite event for high-ranking female information security practitioners and experts. The Women of Influence Awards were given in the categories of Public Sector or Academia, Private Solutions Provider, and Corporate Practitioner. An esteemed panel of judges selected the winners based on their influence on the professional community; their ability to solve problems or overcome challenges; their commitment to the highest ethical standards; having a history of designing and implementing effective security solutions; and serving as a mentor to colleagues, students, and others.

About Symantec Security Response
Symantec Security Response experts work to protect enterprise businesses and consumers from the latest security threats. Symantec Security Response, a team of dedicated intrusion experts, security engineers, virus hunters, and global technical support teams, provides customers with comprehensive, global, 24x7 Internet security expertise to guard against today’s complex Internet threats.

About Symantec
Symantec is the world leader in providing solutions to help individuals and enterprises assure the security, availability, and integrity of their information. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has operations in more than 40 countries. More information is available at www.symantec.com.

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Contact Information

Kelly Schwager

Corporate Public Relations

Symantec Corp.

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