NEC BUSINESS NETWORK SOLUTIONS TEAMS WITH COUNTERPANE TO DELIVER ONE-STOP NETWORK SECURITY ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING SERVICES

Relationship expands NEC BNS' nationwide network security, system and services solution portfolio

IRVING, Texas and CUPERTINO, California - October 11, 2001 - Recognizing the unique and varying customer needs for information security management, NEC Business Network Solutions, Inc. (NEC BNS), a leading MultiServices systems integrator and NEC America's direct sales and services organization; and Counterpane Internet Security, Inc., developer and leading provider of Managed Security Monitoring (MSM), today announced a nationwide reseller agreement to provide NEC BNS customers with a comprehensive Managed Security Monitoring solution.

"Our customers tell us that one of their top issues is security. Counterpane's MSM helps round out our full portfolio of network security related products and services," noted Stefan Fedor, Senior Vice President, Data Services, NEC Business Network Solutions, Inc. "Counterpane has an outstanding capability that we will sell both as a standalone service and combined with our security assessment service offering, enabling us to deliver superior value and a more robust security solution to our customers."

"Teaming with NEC BNS will offer companies a complete solution from a well-recognized and respected technology company," said John Bruce, Executive Vice President, Counterpane Internet Security, Inc. "NEC BNS has an excellent sales and support organization throughout the U.S. giving us the opportunity to service its significant base of customers and to create more high-quality customer relationships through our trusted partner."

NEC BNS' Managed Security Monitoring service is jointly delivered in partnership with Counterpane Internet Security, Inc. NEC BNS provides the Network Security Vulnerability Assessment, product procurement, configuration and integration, plus installation and maintenance of security related equipment and applications, while Counterpane provides the complete network security monitoring service. This comprehensive service is further tailored to meet customers' needs based on size, industry, network environment and compliance to government regulations.

NEC BNS' Network Security Vulnerability Assessment addresses a wide scope of issues in the customer environment relative to security including policy, premise, network and business issues. Based on the customer's need, the assessment applies multiple discovery tools to detect internal and external threats. The assessment delivers the analysis of the audit with recommendations and budgetary cost estimates for mediating vulnerabilities discovered.

The Managed Security Monitoring service monitors all network devices, from firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) to routers and servers, and collects information that can be used to identify and prevent attacks. This helps mitigate the risks created by ever-expanding networks and allows customers to focus on their core business competencies rather than on IT security.

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About NEC Business Networks Solutions, Inc.

NEC Business Network Solutions, Inc. (NEC BNS) is a multi-service network systems integrator and NEC America's direct sales and service organization. The Irving, Texas-based NEC BNS is a $600 million enterprise, employing over 1,000 experienced and dedicated employees in over 40 sales and service offices throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. NEC BNS provides end-to-end voice, data and video communication network solutions and offers assessment, design, procurement, implementation, operational support, management and monitoring services - enabling its customers to be more productive, competitive and profitable. NEC BNS is a Cisco Systems Gold Certified Partner. For additional information about NEC BNS, please visit the company web site at www.necbns.com.

About Counterpane

Counterpane Internet Security, Inc. is the developer and leading provider of Managed Security Monitoring. Established in 1999 by entrepreneurial expert Tom Rowley and security technologist and author Bruce Schneier, Counterpane addresses the critical need for increased levels of security services. Centered on a network of sophisticated Secure Operations Centers, staffed by expert security analysts, the Company provides 24x7 monitoring, as well as penetration detection and response. Counterpane's Managed Security Monitoring services enable e-business to be conducted safely. The company is funded by Accel Partners, Amerindo Investment Advisors, Inc., Bessemer Venture Partners, Dell, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Equity Fund. Headquarters are located at 1090 La Avenida, Mountain View, California, USA. Phone: 650-404-2400, Fax: 650-903-0461, Website: www.counterpane.com.

NEC Business Network Solutions and the NEC Business Network Solutions, Inc. logo are trademarks of NEC Business Network Solutions, Inc. Counterpane is a trademark of Counterpane Internet Security, Inc. All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.