DIGEX Creates New Industry Standard in Hosted Web Site Security

Business Wire, Oct 14, 1998

BELTSVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 14, 1998--First-tier, national Internet carrier DIGEX, Incorporated, an Intermedia Communications Company (Nasdaq: ICIX), today announced the debut of DIGEXSecure Web Server, a scalable high-security solution designed especially for those companies that intend to host their Web site and have mandated corporate or liability requirements. The DIGEXSecure Web Server solution raises the bar on Web site security to a virtually impassable level through its certified systems that combine industry-tested firewalls, both passive and active server monitoring, physical site assessment, and highly secure system configurations.

"Our customers demand that their transactions remain private and secure," said Rick Stiegler, Chief Technology Officer for LendingTree, a national online loan center. "After a close evaluation of other potential Web site hosting companies, only DIGEX was able to meet our stringent security requirements. By working with DIGEX, we are assured that we have an actively managed expert security solution, allowing us to focus our resources on what we do best -- while DIGEX directs our Internet security strategy."

"Over 87% of Web developers and traditional integrators named security as the biggest obstacle in convincing businesses to Web-enable key business systems in a recent DIGEX survey at the Microsoft Business Applications Conference 98", said Bobby Patrick, director of Business Development for DIGEX. "DIGEXSecure Web Servers enable companies and developers to hurdle that obstacle while saving them the tremendous cost of maintaining security policies and research staff to keep up with changing security requirements."

DIGEXSecure Web Servers provide the highest degree of physical security. All customer servers, including web, database, and back-end application servers, are located in a highly protected DIGEX facility staffed by trained professionals and guarded by 24x7 video monitoring. All servers are housed in locked racks, which can only be opened through a dual-key system. In addition, DIGEX security staff conducts monthly vulnerability testing of potential security breaches.

To meet the needs of a broad range of customers, DIGEXSecure Web Servers are available in a choice of the following configurations:

High Security Web Servers are configured to answer the security needs of those corporate customers whose sites are required to maintain certain standards of fiduciary integrity. To meet these demands, all High Security Web Servers are "scrubbed" of all system programs that might provide access to the customer's proprietary data. Protocol access is also controlled through router packet filtering and Access Control Lists (ACLs): customers may access their servers through the SSH and PPTP protocols, while browser-based access is only available through HTTP and SSL.

Maximum Security Web Servers provide the ultimate benchmark in Web security with a robust solution to answer the most exacting customer requirements, especially with those sites where highly sensitive or fiduciary data which must be protected at all costs. Designed to support Web access only, the Maximum Security Web Server solution employs a "scrubbed" operating platform with a firewall that provides no services or entry-points to customer data other than through HTTP (80) and SSL (443) ports. Customers may access their servers through a protected dialback modem or dedicated point-to-point connectivity to the customer's corporate site.

"Today, the need has never been greater for an easily deployable, highly reliable security solution to protect highly sensitive data that drives enterprise Web sites and business applications," said Lloyd Taylor, vice president of technical operations, for DIGEX. "DIGEXSecure Web Servers answer the need precisely, and with the flexibility that our market demands."

DIGEX Web Site Management manages complex Web sites, Intranets, Extranets, and Web-based enterprise systems for some of the world's leading companies, including NIKE, American Century Investments and KRAFT Foods.

DIGEX, an Intermedia Communications Company, is a leading national Internet carrier exclusively serving business customers. DIGEX offers a comprehensive range of Internet business solutions, including high-speed, dedicated Business Connectivity and complex Web Site Management services. News and product/service information is available at www.digex.net.

Intermedia Communications is one of the nation's fastest growing telecommunications companies, providing integrated telecommunications solutions to business and government customers. These solutions include voice and data, local and long distance, and advanced network access services in major U.S. markets. Intermedia's enhanced data portfolio, including frame relay networking, ATM, and a full range of Business Internet Solutions and Web hosting services, offers seamless end-to-end service virtually anywhere in the world.

Intermedia Communications is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Intermedia can be found on the World Wide Web at www.intermedia.com.