ISSX Internet Security Systems

Internet Security Systems (ISS) (NASDAQ: ISSX), the worldwide leader in preemptive, enterprise security, today announced that President and CEO Thomas Noonan has addressed a subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to encourage a more collaborative environment between government and private sector to jointly answer the nation's cyber security issues. During today's Senate hearing entitled, "Cyber Security: Recovery and Reconstitution of Critical Networks," Noonan detailed how the explosive growth of new Internet technologies including wireless access, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and instant messaging has spawned online threats that are far outpacing the security responses of private and governmental users. "We as a nation are not doing nearly enough to preempt the types of attacks that could debilitate our critical networked infrastructure," Noonan stated. "The fact that our nation's critical infrastructure has yet to fall victim to a large-scale cyber attack of debilitating consequences does not mean that it cannot happen." Despite the efforts of many technology companies after September 11, 2001 to make products and networks more secure, the number of software vulnerabilities found on computer systems has grown significantly since then. Internet Security Systems X-Force(R) research and development team predicts that as many as 7,000 vulnerabilities could be uncovered this year, a sharp contrast to the 2,500 flaws reported in 2001. While Noonan commended existing private sector and public-private cooperative efforts to address the impending threat to our nation's online infrastructure, he also recommended increased federal government leadership in keeping cyber preparedness squarely on the national agenda. Specifically, Noonan called for the government to: -- Appoint an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Cyber Security and Telecommunications to interact closely with the private sector. -- Develop a national plan to restore connectivity in the event of a large-scale cyber attack. -- Clearly delineate and harden the roles of the various public-private entities working on cyber issues. -- Make better, more coordinated use of security intelligence gathered by the private sector. -- Provide sustained federal funding and active Congressional oversight to combat cyber security threats to the nation's critical infrastructure and the government's own networks. Noonan closed his testimony by noting that the challenge the U.S. faces in securing the nation from cyber attack is as unique as the Internet itself, but that it is a challenge we are more than ready to take on. "Today's hearing marks a promising step forward in the collaboration between government and industry to safeguard the Internet," said Noonan. "While key technology companies like ISS possess the ear-to-the-ground intelligence needed to protect our economy and critical infrastructures, we need the leadership of the federal government to effectively leverage the knowledge, leadership and expertise of the private sector in improving the resiliency of networks and bolstering our nation's defenses." In 2002, President Bush appointed Noonan to serve as a founding member on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC), a homeland defense initiative that protects information systems that are critical to the nation's infrastructure. Under Noonan's leadership, Internet Security Systems has become the world's leading provider of preemptive cyber security technologies for large-scale enterprises and governments. ISS scours the Internet for potential cyber threats 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. About Internet Security Systems, Inc. Internet Security Systems, Inc. (ISS) is the trusted security advisor to thousands of the world's leading businesses and governments, providing preemptive protection for networks, desktops and servers. An established leader in security since 1994, the ISS Proventia(R) integrated security platform automatically protects against both known and unknown threats, keeping networks up and running and shielding customers from online attacks before they impact business assets. ISS products and services are based on the proactive security intelligence of its X-Force(R) research and development team - the unequivocal world authority in vulnerability and threat research. The ISS product line is complemented by comprehensive Managed Security Services and Professional Security Services. For more information, visit the Internet Security Systems Web site at www.iss.net or call 800-776-2362. Internet Security Systems is a trademark and Proventia and X-Force are registered trademarks of Internet Security Systems, Inc. All other companies and products mentioned are trademarks and property of their respective owners.