**China Bans US and Israeli Cybersecurity Software Over Security Concerns**

In a move that reflects growing trade and diplomatic tensions with Washington, China has ordered domestic companies to stop using cybersecurity solutions from more than a dozen US and Israeli firms, citing national security risks.

According to Reuters, the Chinese government has expressed concern that these foreign-made software could collect and transmit confidential information abroad, potentially compromising national security. This decision comes amid rising tensions over China's push in semiconductors and AI, as well as Beijing's broader efforts to replace Western technology with domestic alternatives.

The affected US companies include VMware, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, Mandiant, CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, McAfee, Recorded Future, Claroty, Rapid7, and Wiz. Israeli firms named in the ban are Check Point, CyberArk, Orca Security, Cato Networks, and Imperva (owned by France's Thales). The move has already had a significant impact on these companies' stocks.

"Reuters was unable to establish how many Chinese companies received the notice that the sources said was issued in recent days," the news agency reported. "Chinese authorities expressed concern the software could collect and transmit confidential information abroad, the sources said." These sources chose to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the situation.

The debate over foreign cybersecurity vendors is complex and has been ongoing for some time. Many of these companies employ former intelligence officials and maintain close ties with their governments, which creates at least a theoretical risk of espionage or sabotage. Their software often has deep access to networks and devices, making it a potential vulnerability in national security.

A similar situation played out with Russia's Kaspersky in 2017, when the US government removed its products from federal systems over concerns about Russian espionage. By 2024, sales of Kaspersky's products were banned across the United States, illustrating how national security concerns can rapidly reshape the global cybersecurity market.

The decision to ban these foreign-made cybersecurity software solutions reflects China's growing efforts to assert its dominance in the tech industry and reduce its reliance on Western technology. With tensions between the US and China remaining high, this move could have significant implications for the global cybersecurity landscape.

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