Better computer security can be achieved, but it is going to be a mammoth task, according to John Thompson, chief executive of Symantec.

The increasing number and sophistication of computer attacks requires that companies, businesspersons and consumers rethink their strategies for dealing with worms and other exploits, Thompson said during a keynote speech at Comdex in Las Vegas on Wednesday. The focus on security needs to shift from cleaning up after a problem to anticipating potential problems, he said, with automated patch management and better coordination of software and hardware.

"Security needs to move beyond its niche focus," he said. "We need more integrated security technologies."

Otherwise, it will be impossible to keep up, Thompson claimed.

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