Vintela Authentication Services from Quest Software Extends Microsoft Active Directory-Based Smart Card Authentication to Unix and Linux Platforms; New Capability Supports Multi-Factor Authentication Mandates in Heterogeneous Environments

Business Wire, Feb 15, 2006

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- At the RSA Conference 2006, Quest Software(R) Inc. (Nasdaq:QSFT), a leading provider of application, database and infrastructure management solutions, announced support for multi-factor authentication using smart cards across Windows, Unix and Linux environments with Vintela Authentication Services.

User authentication is at the core of identity management, and through its Vintela products, Quest extends the strong user authentication capabilities of Microsoft Active Directory to Unix and Linux. Vintela Authentication Services will provide built-in support for smart card technology, allowing customers to benefit from secure, multi-factor authentication that is consistent across multiple operating platforms. This capability is valuable to any heterogeneous organization wishing to implement multi-factor authentication. For example:

--U.S. financial institutions wishing to comply with recent guidance from the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council are looking into multifactor authentication methods (such as smart cards) to provide stronger fraud deterrents for online transactions.

--U.S. public sector agencies seeking to meet the Oct. 27 deadline for compliance with three directives related to government-wide common access cards are investigating smart card options. The Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12), the Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 201 (FIPS-201) and PIV II (Personal Identity Verification) specify that agencies must issue secure, interoperable personal ID cards to employees and contractors.

--Organizations moving toward a "password-less" security environment are implementing smart cards as a secure way to protect end users' credentials.

This new capability in Vintela Authentication Services is a fundamental part of Quest's ongoing mission to help IT organizations simplify and secure their identity management infrastructure. In addition to cross-platform integration of Active Directory authentication, Quest also simplifies identity management through automating Active Directory-based user provisioning, password management, role management and event auditing. Each of these capabilities can be extended beyond Windows through Vintela Authentication Services to also encompass Unix and Linux systems.

"Successfully managing identity and access is among the top priorities for virtually every IT organization today," said Michael Atalla, group product manager, Identity and Access, Microsoft. "Our customers tell us that Microsoft Active Directory is at the heart of their identity and access technology investments, but managing within a heterogeneous environment continues to be a reality for them. With this announcement of smart card support in Vintela Authentication Services, Quest continues to help organizations get the most out of their investment in Active Directory. Quest allows customers to leverage their investment in Microsoft Windows and its best-of-breed platform for issuing and managing strong credentials by extending these credentials across non-Windows systems."

"Quest understands that IT organizations have challenges managing user identities because their environments change every day," said Jackson Shaw, senior director, product management, Quest Software. "As we progress through 2006 we will be announcing additional products and features that will further enhance our customers' ability to simplify their identity management projects and plans."

Pricing and Availability

North American pricing for Vintela Authentication Services begins at $325 U.S. per server and $45 U.S. per user. Smart card integration is expected to be available early in the second quarter of 2006. More information is available at http://www.vintela.com/products/vas.> About Quest Infrastructure Management

Quest Software's Infrastructure Management solutions simplify, automate and secure Active Directory, Exchange and Windows, as well as integrate Unix and Linux into the managed environment. Quest's Infrastructure Management products deliver comprehensive capabilities for secure management, migration and integration of the heterogeneous enterprise.

About Quest Software, Inc.

Quest Software, Inc. delivers innovative products that help organizations get more performance and productivity from their applications, databases and infrastructure. Through a deep expertise in IT operations and a continued focus on what works best, Quest helps more than 18,000 customers worldwide meet higher expectations for enterprise IT. Quest Software can be found in offices around the globe and at www.quest.com.

Quest and Quest Software are registered trademarks of Quest Software, Inc. The Quest Software logo and all other Quest Software product or service names and slogans are registered trademarks or trademarks of Quest Software, Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Forward Looking Statements

This release may include predictions, estimates and other information that might be considered forward-looking statements, including statements concerning the availability and market acceptance of Vintela Authentication Services with smart card support. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ from those anticipated as a result of various factors, including the impact of economic conditions on our customers, variations in the size and timing of customer orders; competitive products and pricing; rapid technological change; risks associated with the development and market acceptance of new products; disruptions caused by acquisitions of companies and/or technologies including risks relating to integration of the combined companies; risks associated with international operations; and the need to attract and retain qualified personnel. For a discussion of these and other related risks, please refer to our recent SEC filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the Current Report on 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date thereof.