Justice: Ptech no security risk

<FONT SIZE=2>&#009;After the Dec. 6 search of software vendor Ptech Inc.'s headquarters, Justice Department officials said the government does not have any reason to believe any federal systems using the software have been compromised. </FONT>

After the Dec. 6 search of software vendor Ptech Inc.'s headquarters, Justice Department officials said the government does not have any reason to believe any federal systems using the software have been compromised.

"The search was conducted in connection with an ongoing financial crime investigation," U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Michael Sullivan said in a statement. "Media characterizations of this as a terrorist investigation are premature."

Ptech denied that the search of its Quincy, Mass., offices constituted a raid, and said it was cooperating with the investigation. "The company categorically denies having any connection with a terrorist organization," a company release said.

Ptech pulled in about $3.3 million in revenue through the General Services Administration schedules, according to the GSA. Customers include Air Force, Energy Department, NATO, Naval Air Systems Command, FBI, Federal Aviation Administration and the House of Representatives.

Sullivan said because Ptech had provided software to federal agencies, "there have been questions raised concerning their products. All the products provided to the government were of a nonclassified nature. However, out of an abundance of caution, the affected government agencies, including the FBI, conducted a review of their computer systems."