(EMAILWIRE.COM, March 24, 2003 ) Englewood, Colo. - Verio, a leader in global IP solutions and the world's largest Web hosting provider, today introduced a completely managed customer premise equipment (CPE)-based Virtual Private Network (VPN) service that leverages the NTT/VERIO Global IP Network while significantly reducing total cost of ownership. The new offering, NTT/VERIO SafeGuard VPN.CPE, protects organizations' corporate data through security devices located on customer premises, implementing industry standard IPSec tunneling and encryption to ensure high levels of data security and privacy. Verio
proactively handles all management functions remotely, making it easier for
businesses with multiple locations requiring VPN services.

The introduction of SafeGuard VPN.CPE continues Verio's commitment to provide top-notch security services to medium and large businesses with multiple branch office locations. Last year, Verio introduced its Global IP Security Gateway service, a managed, network-based VPN service, and this product is now also included in the SafeGuard family of managed VPN services. With the NTT/VERIO SafeGuard VPN services and IntelliSecurity managed security services, customers can now provide multiple layers of security protection for their networks using firewalls, VPNs and intrusion detection systems - all from a single security services provider.

"There are no single device "silver bullets" for protecting networks today - a variety of security layers are needed," said Susan May, director of security products for Verio's Broadband Services unit. "Verio now offers a wide variety of security services, including managed VPN services, so companies can easily choose which solution works best with their corporate security policies and for their specific needs."

"The SafeGuard VPN.CPE offering further strengthens Verio's offering of fully outsourced IP VPN solutions for enterprises," says Steven Harris, research manager for the IP VPNs research program at IDC. "The new Verio service will appeal to the many enterprises we see deploying hybrid IP VPN solutions, giving them more choices for CPE-based and network-based solutions backed up with security, management, and monitoring expertise."

May added that "this latest VPN service provides businesses with full CPE support, including hardware acquisition, management and field replacement. The automated solution is easily scaleable, which is something customers repeatedly emphasize, and most importantly, it offers the highest levels of security in such a VPN product."

SafeGuard VPN.CPE, utilizing a fully managed Cisco IP VPN security device that acts as an IP router, VPN gateway, and Content-Based Access Control (CBAC) firewall, supporting dedicated access speeds from T1 to OC3. The service may also be installed using non-NTT/VERIO IP services, enabling wider coverage for the customer VPN in the event that NTT/VERIO IP services are not available for some of the desired node locations.

Principal benefits of the SafeGuard VPN.CPE service include: -Best-of-breed platform - SafeGuard VPN.CPE uses a single Cisco device to provide routing functionality for Internet access and VPN functionality for secure communications, reducing the costs and complexity associated with multi-box solutions.

-Reduced total cost of ownership - Business can rely on a complete end-to-end solution with all equipment managed and maintained by Verio. Managed services include CPE hardware acquisition, 24x7 CPE management and CPE field replacement. VPN devices are owned and managed by Verio in the SafeGuard VPN.CPE solution, thereby removing the need for the enterprise to acquire capital equipment upfront.

-VPN-specific Service Level Agreements (SLA) - Proactive VPN CPE outage notification, VPN hardware replacement and VPN time to repair guarantees are offered as a standard part of the SafeGuard VPN.CPE service, in addition to standard network guarantees. Premier 24x7 customer support is also provided via Verio's award-winning customer support center.

-Remote communications - SafeGuard VPN.CPE enables business to communicate with employees and partners, customers and suppliers within a secure, flexible environment.


About Verio
Verio Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of NTT Communications (NTT Com), which provides long distance and international telecommunications reaching over 200 countries worldwide. Verio is the world's largest operator of Web sites for businesses and a leading provider of global IP solutions. NTT Com and Verio market their global IP solutions under the NTT/VERIO brand. The company offers businesses a broad range of Internet services, including Web hosting, dedicated access, virtual private networks, and managed service offerings, among other enhanced services. Verio supports its operations
with highly reliable and scalable global infrastructure and systems including the NTT/VERIO Global IP Network, and provides Web hosting services to customers in more than 170 countries. The combination of Verio and NTT Com offers services to meet the growing and diverse needs of all businesses, including small to medium businesses, large global enterprises and multi-national corporations. More information can be found at www.verio.com and www.ntt.com/index-e.html.

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Contact:
Nina Velasquez
Text 100 International for Verio
212.871.5173 direct
ninav@text100.com

Contact Information:
Verio, Inc.
Joseph Nchor
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