Task Services are not working properly

Products

• Client Management Suite
• IT Management Suite

Issue/Introduction

Client Task Server is not processing jobs and sending status back to the SMP Server.  

Possible other statuses:

1. Unable to pre-process tasks
2. Unable to receive client status data      

Environment

ITMS 8.x

Cause

Anti-virus

Resolution

In this particular instance, turns out McAfee was flagging the ATRSHOST.exe as malware because it was reaching out to the machinekeys folder on the workstations.   

Short term resolution:
Remove McAfee, if possible, and Task Services should start working again.  

Long term resolution:
Work with the Security team to not have antivirus software monitor Altiris processes.

What exclusions should be considered for Symantec Management Platform and Agents to function correctly with an anti-virus solution installed?