Asian companies still do not realise the importance of computer security, according to executives at security and applications developer Symantec.
'It looks remarkably similar to the marketplace in Europe or the United States three to five years ago,' said worldwide security services vice-president John Holland.
Many Asian companies were still wondering whether they needed computer security, especially after they linked up to the Web, he said.
Mr Holland has flown to the region from Britain this week on a whistle-stop tour to promote Symantec's managed security services in Asia-Pacific.
The launch comes at a time when many security companies in the region are reaching beyond products to offer consultation and protection. They also manage security systems, offer round-the-clock intrusion detection and educate companies about the need for concerted security policies.
Asian-Pacific companies are waking up to the fact that attacks on their computer systems are inevitable.
Symantec did not yet have any Asian customers for its managed security services, the executives said, although it had clients elsewhere.