Genuity's Remotely-Managed Double-FireWall Service Allows Customers to Outsource Network Security Worrie

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 18, 1997--Genuity, a leading provider of dedicated high-speed Internet access solutions, today announced its new remotely-managed double-firewall service, the latest option available to network managers wanting to outsource Internet security operations.

Managed securely from Genuity's network operations center in Phoenix, the service's advanced bilevel firewall security frees customers from worries of unauthorized network access and other security breaches.

Equally important, customers can reduce their network operating costs as they gain Genuity's expertise in providing industrial- strength commercial Internet security. Genuity has chosen Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. Os market-leading FireWall-1 enterprise security software for the double-firewall service's initial implementation.

Industrial-strength network security

Genuity's service employs two levels of network security -- residing in both a Cisco router and a Sun UltraSPARC server -- to deliver high-performance "double-firewall" security.

The Cisco router, located on the Genuity network, uses its own packet filtering technology to scan all packets of incoming data traffic, and discard unwanted packets. The authorized data packets are then passed through to the customer's network, where Genuity has installed a Sun UltraSPARC server at each of its Internet connections.

On the UltraSPARC servers, Check Point's FireWall-1's "stateful inspection" technology delivers sophisticated, flexible, high performance security.

Genuity chooses Check Point Software's FireWall-1

"We are pleased to offer Check Point's FireWall-1 enterprise security software as an integral part of our new service," said Geir Ramleth, Genuity's president and CEO.

"FireWall-1's stateful inspection technology is the industry's gold standard; it delivers the highest levels of security without compromising data throughput. Check Point Software's open, distributed OPSEC architecture and remote management capabilities were additional critical factors in Genuity's choice."

Genuity enables worry-free operations

Genuity assumes complete responsibility for monitoring and maintaining customers' network security, remotely managing the double-firewall installations from its network operations center located in Phoenix. Customers' sites are monitored by Genuity on a 24-by-7 basis, with communications conducted in a secure environment utilizing data encryption.

"Our remotely-managed double-firewall service gives customers two extremely important benefits: peace of mind and reduced costs," said Douglas Cheline, senior consultant/security product manager at Genuity.

"Network security requires dedicated expert staff and is expensive to do in-house. Genuity delivers the benefits traditionally associated with outsourcing -- leading-edge technology expertise and operational economies of scale -- in a package available to any customer, whether or not Genuity is their ISP."

Pricing and availability

Genuity's remotely-managed double-firewall service is available immediately on a yearly contract basis, starting at $20,000. It can be provided to customers purchasing dedicated Internet access from Genuity or from other Internet service providers (ISPs).

For more information contact Genuity at 602/207- 6400, visit http://www.genuity.net on the World Wide Web, or send email to info@genuity.net .

About Genuity

Genuity, a subsidiary of the privately held Bechtel organization, provides integrated, high-speed Internet solutions for medium-to-large-sized organizations in business and higher education. For nearly 100 years, Bechtel has provided engineering, construction and related management services to customers in some 140 nations on all seven continents. Genuity, formerly known as Internet Media Network, was formed in 1994 and offers Internet connection, data center and integration services.

With headquarters in San Francisco, Genuity also has data centers established in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, San Jose, Washington, D.C., and London. Customers include CMP Publications, Inc. and MCA/Universal. -0-

Note to Editors: Genuity is a trademark of Genuity. Other trademarks cited herein are the property of their respective owners.