3Com to Secure Cable Modems with VeriSign's Cable Modem Authentication Services

Business Wire, Nov 30, 2000

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 30, 2000

State-of-the-Art Cable Digital Certificates to Help Avert Piracy of Broadband Services, Providing Secure Cable Subscriptions and

Online Connections

VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq:VRSN), the leading provider of Internet trust services, and 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS), today announced that 3Com has selected VeriSign's Cable Modem Authentication Services to embed digital certificates into its entire line of cable modems to help protect customer privacy, prevent service pirating and device cloning.

VeriSign's services allow 3Com to meet the stringent security requirements of the Data Over Cable System Interface Specification (DOCSIS) 1.1 standard, which lays the foundation for cable operators to accelerate the delivery of value-added broadband services such as software delivery and pay-per-use application services. The DOCSIS standard for cable modems, created by cable system operators to ensure a ubiquitous security standard for the entire cable industry, requires that all cable modems be authenticated using digital certificates.

"3Com is committed to providing the most secure products for all broadband customers and our relationship with VeriSign allows us to achieve that goal," said Michael Pula, director of product management for 3Com's Residential Connectivity Group. "3Com customers expect state-of-the-art technology; thanks to VeriSign certificates, they'll receive peace of mind that their cable connections are secure as well."

VeriSign's Cable Modem Authentication Services provide 3Com with a turnkey solution for centrally generating a large number of digital keys and certificates and "burning" these credentials directly into the read-only memory (ROM) of cable modems prior to shipment. A digital certificate serves as a unique, unforgeable online credential, authenticating the identity of each cable modem to the service provider through an exchange of digital keys before permitting the user to access cable services.

By leveraging VeriSign's highly scalable digital certificate infrastructure, 3Com is able to centrally generate digital certificates in volume based on its scheduled production quantities. In addition, VeriSign is also providing 3Com the expertise to integrate the certificate provisioning process with its existing manufacturing operations.

Working with the leader in trust services to deploy certified modems, 3Com also addresses the issue of secure personal information. Consumers concerned about their open-cable online connections, online privacy and protection of personal information transported over cable can feel confident that their connection is more secure than ever.

"Always on the forefront of innovation and customer awareness, 3Com has chosen to give significant added protection in the delivery of existing services," said Anil Pereira, general manager for Enterprise Services Group at VeriSign. "With VeriSign's Cable Modem Authentication Services, 3Com is paving the way for the secure distribution of software, entertainment and other value-added services over advanced networks."

About VeriSign

VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN) is the leading provider of trusted infrastructure services to websites, enterprises, electronic commerce service providers and individuals. The company's domain name, digital certificate and payment services provide the critical web identity, authentication and transaction infrastructure that online businesses require to conduct secure e-commerce and communications. VeriSign's services are available through its web sites ( www.verisign.com and www.netsol.com ) or through its direct sales force and reseller partners around the world.

All rights reserved. VeriSign is a registered trademark of VeriSign, Inc. 3Com is a registered trademark of 3Com Corporation. Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, potential volatility in VeriSign's stock price, uncertainty of Internet privatization, increased competition in the domain name registration business including price competition, customer acceptance of new products and services offered by the company in addition to or as enhancements of its registration services, risks associated with the company's international business, uncertainty of future revenue and profitability and fluctuations in its quarterly operating results. More information about potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial results is included in VeriSign's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, especially in the company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on April 12, 2000, as amended, Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2000.