Symantec names interim CEO Michael A. Brown to permanent post

Security software maker Symantec Corp. said Thursday that it has named interim CEO Michael A. Brown to the post permanently.

Brown has been interim CEO since March after Symantec fired its president and CEO, Steve Bennett. It was the second time in less than two years that Symantec fired its CEO. Bennett became president and CEO in July 2012, when Enrique Salem was fired after three years in charge of the company.

Brown, 55, has been on Symantec's board since July 2005. He is the former chairman and CEO of data backup company Quantum Corp.

Symantec said Brown "made significant improvements to Symantec's operating and financial performance" since March.

Its stock gained 13.5 percent from March 20, when Brown was named interim CEO, to Thursday's $23.73 closing price.