Beijing (Monitoring Desk): China has instructed domestic companies to halt the use of software from nearly a dozen U.S. and Israeli cybersecurity firms, citing national security concerns. Authorities warned that the foreign software could potentially transmit sensitive and confidential information outside the country.
As a result, Beijing is rapidly implementing a policy to adopt local technology alternatives. Among the U.S. companies affected are Broadcom’s VMware, Palo Alto Networks, and Fortinet, while Israeli firm Check Point Software Technologies is also included in the ban.
The move had immediate market effects, with shares of U.S. companies falling — Broadcom and Palo Alto Networks dropped over 1%, and Fortinet shares fell approximately 3%.
Chinese analysts say the decision reflects Beijing’s self-reliance strategy to shield against potential cybersecurity threats from Western technology, with major local cybersecurity firms like 360 Security Technology and Neusoft stepping forward as alternatives
