AXENT Announces Webthority, the Only Product to Deliver Trusted Access Via `Virtual Web Sites' to Create a Complete Web Security Solution

Business Wire, Sept 18, 2000

Business/Technology Editors

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--September 18, 2000

Easy-to-Deploy Solution Enables E-Business by Ensuring Protection

of Critical Corporate Data

AXENT Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AXNT), one of the world's leading Internet security solutions providers for e-business, that recently entered into a definitive agreement with Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ: SYMC) to be acquired, today announced Webthority(TM), a powerful and practical Internet security solution that provides trusted access to Web-based information, reducing risk to fast-growing e-businesses. Webthority is the only solution to create a centralized, trusted environment that delivers safe access to Web content, without providing direct access to the content that could potentially expose internal systems to hackers who could jeopardize day-to-day business. With integrated intrusion detection and firewall technology, Webthority provides the most complete Web security solution available.

"In the race to deploy e-business solutions, companies have created a decentralized collection of systems with literally hundreds of access points and techniques to manage access to business critical information," said Ann Marie Beasley, director of product management at AXENT(R). "Organizations need a secure access solution that will allow partners, customers, and employees access the right information at the right time to ensure a trusted e-business environment."

Most Web systems are not integrated into the existing security surrounding a company's enterprise networks, thus making the sites vulnerable. Until now, companies looking to solve this problem had to juggle a vast array of authentication databases and security technologies. Ripping out the infrastructure and starting over is impractical because too much is invested in the technology and current business relies on it. Webthority provides a single solution that works with the existing infrastructure. It eliminates the dangers involved with hosting a Web site from a service network by providing "virtual Web sites" that hide the real location of Web content. Through the "virtual Web sites" technology users can be authenticated and served Web content without obtaining direct access to a company's internal trusted networks.

Most companies have approached security as an afterthought, but the increase in hacking incidents has changed the industry's outlook, and many breaches aren't even seen. Companies can't afford for online business to be compromised, because the information in the most trusted areas of their Web sites is invaluable, and their reputation is even more important. There is a level of trust established with customers and business partners that is vital to success, and Webthority makes it possible to protect Web content with a single solution that is easy to manage and implement within any existing environment.

"Many e-businesses don't recognize the importance of security until it's too late--they're hacked. Until recently, security was simply not thought of as essential to the success of Web business," said Greg Coticchia, vice president of marketing at AXENT. "Webthority provides a powerful and practical extranet security solution that enables safe access to Web-based information, reducing risks to fast-growing e-business initiatives."

"Our customers were concerned with keeping their critical business information secure and private, but didn't want to worry about multiple security solutions from different vendors. AXENT's Webthority, combined with their Raptor Firewall and Defender solutions, allow us to better service our customers and suppliers by providing an uncompromised level of security for Web access control," said Mike Brannon, senior manager of Internet Technology at National Gypsum. "Webthority makes it easy to maintain our level of trusted security even as our technology changes, by managing customer accounts, protecting customer information, and enabling customers to access needed information from a single location."

Helping Companies Transition to New Technologies

Companies see the lure of new technologies such as public key infrastructure (PKI), and they need a mechanism to migrate to the emerging technologies and make the transition at their own pace. Resource constraints hinder the deployment and maintenance of disparate systems, and constant changes in users, partners and customers further complicate the situation.

Webthority supports all of the leading authentication sources and directories on the market, from lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP), Active Directory and PKI to Windows NT(R), mainframes and legacy systems--providing a bridge between old technology and new--to leverage existing security investments. This allows businesses to implement new technology in a timely manner without obstructing current business initiatives. Furthermore, Webthority comes with packaged installation services, making it easy for companies with limited resources and time to install and manage it without altering existing systems.