COUNTERPANE INTERNET SECURITY UNVEILS HIGHER LEVEL OF NETWORK SECURITY PROTECTION

Continuous monitoring, real-time detection, and immediate threat response by security experts for e-business

San Jose, CA, April 3, 2000 -- Today's official launch of Counterpane Internet Security represents something entirely new. Something vital to e-commerce. Something that brings the best minds in network security to the aid of organizations - 24x7. This something is Managed Security Monitoring: a new category of security service that enables e-business finally to be conducted safely.

"Security is a process, not a product," states Bruce Schneier, Counterpane founder and world-renowned computer security technologist and author. "The fundamental problems in computer security are not designing and fielding secure products, but using those products effectively in the real world. They are installing, using, and maintaining those products--and then intelligently interpreting and effectively responding to the alerts they give," says Schneier. Unlike typical network security products and providers, Counterpane combines network security countermeasures with around-the-clock monitoring, analysis and response by security experts. This enables companies to maximize the effectiveness of their installed security products and provides the strongest defense against internal and external unauthorized access and use.

"Information Systems (IS) buyers and loss managers tell us that monitoring the integrity of the enterprise's electronic infrastructure is a daunting task, but one that must be done to avoid market embarrassment - and worse - when moving to Internet commerce," says Jim Hurley, Managing Director of Security for Aberdeen Group. "Doing nothing is no longer an alternative. For many of our clients, outsourcing to 24x7 experts is becoming the right business decision."

Counterpane's comprehensive services are delivered through a network of technically sophisticated Secure Operations Centers staffed by teams of security analysts, without any product, vendor, or political bias. To match this level of expertise and resources, a company would have to invest millions of dollars annually. Even small and medium-sized companies can now enjoy a level of expertise and protection that would otherwise be out of reach.

"Security is a moving target," according to Counterpane President and CEO Tom Rowley. "There's a human intelligence behind attacks, so attack techniques are constantly evolving. That's why security products alone don't solve the problem; it takes human expertise and vigilance," states Rowley. In addition to around-the-clock monitoring, Counterpane's services include threat analysis, network assessment, attack prediction and proactive protection, and immediate response to intrusions. Counterpane's services are tailored to each customer's specific environment and needs, making the company attractive to a diverse group of enterprises from Fortune 500 companies to dot-com start-ups.

"Internet voting dictates the highest standards for privacy," explains Jim Adler, President and Founder of Counterpane customer VoteHere.net. "Counterpane's Managed Security Monitoring service plays a critical role in the comprehensive system we've created to maintain the integrity of the voting process."

Counterpane has established many important relationships and partnerships with such companies as Axent Technologies, Inc., Exodus Communications, Foundstone, Inc., Network Flight Recorder, Open Source Group, Inc., PricewaterhouseCoopers, Secure Computing, Security Design International, Inc., SecurityFocus.com, and the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC), an organized research unit of the University of California, San Diego.

"We are very pleased to have established this strategic alliance with Counterpane Internet Security," says PricewaterhouseCoopers Partner and North American Leader of the Technology Risk Services Practice, Bruce Murphy. "We can now offer our customers the added protection of 24x7 threat detection and response by a leading security company, enabling them to conduct their business more securely."

Rowley and Schneier have assembled management and technology teams and an advisory board with impressive credentials and with a great depth and variety of experience. The Company's first two Secure Operations Centers are located in Silicon Valley and the Washington, D.C. area. Additional centers will be coming on-line later this year, including one in Western Europe. Schneier's well-established company Counterpane Systems has become the research division of Counterpane Internet Security. Renamed Counterpane Labs, this group will play a key role in providing ongoing research and critical resources to Counterpane Internet Security as well as to the information security community at large.

"Counterpane's dedication to increasing the level of security for businesses has resulted in a very comprehensive new service," according to Dr. Bill Hancock, CISSP, Vice President, Security, and Chief Security Officer for Exodus Communications, Inc. "Counterpane's Managed Security Monitoring service adds the vital human ingredient to fighting cyber crime."

Counterpane Internet Security, Inc. was established in 1999 by security technologist and author Bruce Schneier and entrepreneurial expert Tom Rowley to address the critical need for increased levels of security services. Centered around a network of sophisticated Secure Operations Centers, staffed by expert security analysts, the Company provides 24x7 monitoring, as well as penetration prevention, detection, and response. Counterpane's Managed Security Monitoring services enable e-business to be conducted safely. The company is funded by Accel Partners and Bessemer Ventures and is headquartered at 1090 La Avenida in Mountain View, CA 94043. Phone: 650-404-2400, Fax: 650-903-0461, Website: www.counterpane.com.

###

Counterpane is a trademark of Counterpane Internet Security, Inc. All other companies, brands names or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.