Inside the Symantec Security Response labs

The clean machines the antivirus staff work on are physically located inside the blue zone, pictured, while the researchers sit in the red zone, which contains infected machines. The analysts use thin-client terminals linked via cables to the clean "Definition, Build and Certification" systems to compile antivirus signatures.

Hogan said there was "nothing cloak and dagger" about infected machines being physically separate from employees' personal work machines, and that it was simply "to prevent accidents". Hogan added that the antivirus researchers would prefer to work in physical proximity to their personal machines. "It's more of an annoyance, as they can't [easily] access their production [personal] machines," said Hogan.