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Leading Cyber Security Firms Form Non-Profit Group for Public Policy Advocacy, Education

Paul Kurtz, Former Special Assistant to the President, Named Executive Director

Hong Kong -- 26 February 2004 - The Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA) was launched today at the RSAŽ Conference 2004 by a group of 11 innovative security software, hardware and service vendors. The CSIA is a non-profit corporate-membership organization, whose mission is to improve cyber security through public policy initiatives, public sector partnerships, corporate outreach, academic programs, alignment behind emerging industry technology standards and public education.

The CSIA also announced the appointment of Paul Kurtz as its executive director. Most recently, Kurtz served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Critical Infrastructure Protection on the White House's Homeland Security Council (HSC). He was responsible for developing the White House's strategy and policy for protecting the nation's critical infrastructure.

Prior to joining the HSC in 2003, Kurtz served on the White House's National Security Council (NSC) as Senior Director for National Security of the Office of Cyberspace Security. He was also a member of the President's Critical Infrastructure Protection Board, where he developed the President's National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace.

"Cyber security now serves as the linchpin of success in meeting both our homeland and economic security objectives," said Kurtz. "Security will enable the IT revolution to reach its full potential. As a result, a unified industry voice is needed to assist consumers, enterprises and governments to meet the security challenges of today's digital world. The CSIA looks forward to working in partnership with key stakeholders in the public and private sector to address the various implications associated with securing cyberspace."

Comprised exclusively of information technology security companies, the CSIA is uniquely positioned to benefit consumers, governments and a cross-section of industries by leveraging its members' shared expertise and resources.

Founding members include BindView Corp.; Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.; Computer Associates International, Inc.; Entrust, Inc.; Internet Security Systems Inc.; NetScreen Technologies, Inc.; Network Associates, Inc.; PGP Corporation; RSA Security Inc.; Secure Computing Corporation; and Symantec Corporation. The CSIA's Board of Directors is composed of the CEOs of these companies.

The CSIA will take up the challenge laid down by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge at the National Cyber Security Summit held Dec. 3, 2003 in Santa Clara, Calif., where Ridge noted that the federal government cannot succeed on its own. "Eighty-five percent of our nation's critical infrastructure, including the cyber network that controls it, is owned and operated by the private sector. As such, we not only need businesses to be active partners with us in securing these vital assets, we need businesses...to lead the way."

The CSIA will carry out its work via focused member-driven committees: Public Policy, Education and Alliances, Awareness, and Standards. CSIA members are working to finalize their initial agendas, which will likely include initiatives in the following areas:

  • Coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to improve information-sharing between business and government on cyber-threats;
  • Improving corporate governance of information security;
  • Improving Federal procurement practices and guidelines;
  • Identifying gaps in cyber security R&D;
  • Collaborating with U.S. and international standards development organizations to support emerging technology standards and specifications that will serve to enhance cyber security;
  • Supporting existing campaigns to improve awareness of cyber security, including the National Cyber Security Alliance;
  • Supporting academic programs such as the Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education and building workforce development programs;
  • Pursuing U.S. Senate ratification of the Council of Europe's Convention on Cyber-Crime.

The CSIA has two levels of membership, Charter and Principal, which are limited to companies with a substantial focus on providing cyber security solutions. Companies interested in membership must be vetted and approved by the CSIA Board of Directors. More information about membership can be found at www.csialliance.org.

About the CSIA
Launched in February 2004 by a group of cyber security software, hardware and services companies, the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA) is an advocacy group whose mission is to enhance cyber security through public policy initiatives, public sector partnerships, corporate outreach, academic programs, alignment behind emerging industry technology standards and public education.

Founding members of the CSIA include BindView Corp., (NASDAQ: BVEW); Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., (NASDAQ: CHKP); Computer Associates International, Inc., (NYSE: CA); Entrust, Inc., (NASDAQ: ENTU); Internet Security Systems Inc., (NASDAQ: ISSX); NetScreen Technologies, Inc., (NASDAQ: NSCN); Network Associates, Inc., (NYSE: NET); PGP Corporation; RSA Security Inc., (NASDAQ: RSAS); Secure Computing Corporation (NASDAQ: SCUR) and Symantec Corporation, (NASDAQ: SYMC). For more information about the CSIA, please visit www.csialliance.org or call +1-781-876-8998.


Supporting Comments From Cyber Security Industry Alliance Members

"Cyber crime continues to punch holes in the worldwide IT ecosystem, inflicting business loss and disruption, personal identity theft and malicious mayhem on its victims," said BindView President and Chief Executive Officer Eric J. Pulaski. "BindView is resolute in its commitment to thwart cyber crime and is proudly working with CSIA member companies to set IT security and compliance standards that enable the public and private sectors to harden their IT systems against internal and external cyber attacks."

To arrange an interview with a BindView spokesperson, contact: Yvonne Donaldson, (713) 503-5623, yvonne.donaldson@bindview.com

"The CSIA marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Internet security and gives a much needed voice on security issues faced by both the public and private sectors," said Jerry Ungerman, President of Check Point Software Technologies. "By joining the Cyber Security Industry Alliance, Check Point will help to drive efforts to address key cyber security issues, standards and compliance."

To arrange an interview with a Check Point spokesperson, contact: Molly Ford, (650) 743-8503, mford@us.checkpoint.com

"As the sophistication of cyber-threats continues to grow, so must the defense of our nation's infrastructure," said Russell M. Artzt, executive vice president of eTrust solutions at Computer Associates International, Inc. "The CSIA will play an important role in ensuring that the public and private sectors work closely to achieve this sophistication with respect to both technology and functional coordination."

To arrange an interview with a Computer Associates spokesperson, contact: Tim Whitman, (631) 553-3047, timothy.whitman@ca.com

"Of the many disparate groups dealing with IT security, none has cyber security as its only mission," said Bill Conner, president, chairman and CEO, Entrust, Inc. "By providing a laser-like focus on cyber security, the CSIA can play a vital role in protecting our homeland and paving the way for e-commerce. We are pleased to join the CSIA as a founding member."

To arrange an interview with an Entrust spokesperson, contact: Carrie Bendzsa, (613) 864-2127, carrie.bendzsa@entrust.com

"As a pioneer and trusted provider of security products and services since 1994, we are dedicated to supporting a public policy dialogue for cyber security through federal appointments, testimonies, memberships and associations," said Tom Noonan, Chairman, President and CEO of Internet Security Systems. "It is important for ISS to continue to help lead that dialogue, and we are hopeful that the formation of the CSIA and our involvement will increase the focus on public policy issues and actions to protect our nation's critical infrastructure."

To arrange an interview with an ISS spokesperson, contact: Adam Paige, (646) 391-6659, adam_paige@nyc.cohnwolfe.com

"NetScreen is pleased to be a founding member of the CSIA, as a leading security solution provider that helps some of the world's largest enterprises and service providers protect their networks," said Robert Thomas, president and CEO of NetScreen Technologies, Inc. "Collectively, NetScreen and the other CSIA members can play a critical role in driving awareness of and solutions to critical security issues that customers cannot find from other companies or industry organizations."

To arrange an interview with a NetScreen spokesperson, contact: Jennifer Jennings, (408) 543-8243, jjennings@netscreen.com

"As a leader in the security industry, Network Associates has been a long-time advocate for the enhancement of cyber-security initiatives, and as a founding member of the Cyber Security Industry Alliance, we look forward to partnering our efforts to push forth the necessary public policy, education and awareness to combat cyber-security issues," said George Samenuk, chairman and chief executive officer of Network Associates. "The proliferation of security threats requires a unified and collaborative effort between industry and government to generate technology and regulatory solutions that will ultimately benefit customers around the world."

To arrange an interview with a Network Associates spokesperson, contact: Dana Lengkeek, (415) 994-4008, dana_lengkeek@nai.com

"We are pleased to participate in the founding of CSIA, as industry leaders build a framework for pervasive information security," said Phillip Dunkelberger, President and CEO of PGP Corporation. "Today we join an important initiative to raise worldwide awareness, greatly reduce risks, and build a future of interoperable security solutions."

To arrange an interview with a PGP spokesperson, contact: Lori Curtis, (970) 887-0044, lori@jumpstartcom.com

"It is important to come together as an industry to elevate the security issue to the board level and move beyond dialogue to concrete actions," said Art Coviello, president and CEO at RSA Security. "The CSIA can help improve security through more effective security standards and best practices, to provide tools that businesses and government agencies can use to both assess and reduce risks, and help consumers take basic steps to protect themselves from cyber threats. RSA Security is confident that the CSIA will be able to advance these goals and we are pleased to be a part of this effort."

To arrange an interview with an RSA Security spokesperson, contact: Tim Powers, (781) 515-6212, tpowers@rsasecurity.com

"Recent events such as the MyDoom worm have demonstrated there is a pressing need for information security industry standards and user education," said John McNulty, chairman and CEO of Secure Computing. "The ever increasing threats and cost of disruptions make it incumbent upon the major players in the information security industry to provide leadership in setting standards and working to educate the public. Secure Computing is proud to be a founding member of the CSIA."

To arrange an interview with a Secure Computing spokesperson, contact: David Burt, (206) 683-9508, David_Burt@Securecomputing.com

"The formation of the Cyber Security Industry Alliance underscores how serious the issue of Internet security has become for all segments of society. Over the last six months, cyber attacks such as SoBig, Welchia, Blaster, Beagle and MyDoom have inflicted untold billions of dollars in damage to the world's economy," said John Thompson, chairman and chief executive officer of Symantec Corporation. "Through the Alliance, Symantec looks forward to working with our industry colleagues to create a more secure Internet in the digitally connected world that all of us live and work in today."

To arrange an interview with a Symantec spokesperson, contact: Cris Paden, (408) 517-8547, cpaden@symantec.com

About Symantec
Symantec, the world leader in Internet security technology, provides a broad range of content and network security software and appliance solutions to individuals, enterprises and service providers. The company is a leading provider of client, gateway and server security solutions for virus protection, firewall and virtual private network, vulnerability management, intrusion detection, Internet content and e-mail filtering, remote management technologies and security services to enterprises and service providers around the world. Symantec's Norton brand of consumer security products is a leader in worldwide retail sales and industry awards. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has worldwide operations in 38 countries. For more information, please visit www.symantec.com

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