AXENT Announces Partnership With Cobalt Networks to Deliver First Raptor Firewall/PowerVPN Appliance Based On Linux.

Business/Technology Editors

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 2000

Easy-to-Use, Plug-n-Play Appliance to Offer Maximum Security with

High Performance

AXENT Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXNT), one of the world's leading e-security solutions provider for e-business, today announced a partnership with Cobalt Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:COBT) with the intent to develop the first Linux(R) firewall and VPN appliance. Based on the award-winning AXENT Raptor(R) Firewall, AXENT's PowerVPN(R), and the Cobalt RaQ 3(TM) server appliance, the Linux-based firewall appliance will enable service providers, small and medium-sized businesses and branch offices to implement enterprise-class security without the complexities of installation, configuration, and ongoing maintenance traditionally associated with firewall solutions. The one rack unit high (1RU) firewall appliance will maximize rack space while leveraging the open source reliability and performance of the Linux operating system.

Both Cobalt(TM) and AXENT(R) were recently cited as &uot;companies to watch&uot; in a recent GartnerGroup report on the emerging Web security appliance market. This partnership with Cobalt is the first step for AXENT in introducing a series of AXENT security appliances. In addition, this partnership further builds on AXENT's Linux strategy to ensure its market-leading solutions support the Linux operating environment.

&uot;We are excited about the prospect of offering our respective customers a true, Linux-based firewall appliance,&uot; said Mark Orr, vice president of business development and co-founder, Cobalt Networks, Inc. &uot;The strength of AXENT's security and VPN solutions, the reliability of the Linux operating system, and the simplicity of Cobalt's server appliances make a very compelling product offering.&uot;

The firewall appliance will take the guesswork out of &uot;sizing&uot; the required hardware and eliminates the complexities associated with choosing and configuring an operating system for a firewall and VPN solution. The pre-configured solution will deliver:

-- Ease of deployment that provides a comprehensive firewall and VPN solution within minutes of installation.

-- A one rack unit form factor minimizes the footprint in a standard 19-inch wiring rack offering an ideal solution for a service provider's computing environment.

-- Multiple configurations to support businesses of varying sizes both in the United States and internationally.

-- Remote management capabilities providing organizations with the ability to manage geographically dispersed appliances from a centralized administrative console.

The firewall appliance will dramatically lower the total cost of ownership from the traditional re-packaged PC. IDC predicts that by 2003 revenues for the firewall appliance market will be $1412 million - more than double the 2000 sales. Additionally, according to research firm NetCraft, Inc. (www.netcraft.com), 29 percent of all public Web servers run on Linux, making Linux the most popular operating system for public Web sites. Also, Dataquest expects the Linux-based server appliance market to grow at approximately 72% a year between 1999 and 2003 and represent approximately 24% of the total server appliance market, or $3.8 billion in 2003.

&uot;The partnership between AXENT and Cobalt builds upon one of AXENT's greatest strengths--the interoperability and flexibility of its solutions,&uot; said Andy Reese, CEO of Reese Web - Network Security Experts. &uot;With the addition of a Linux Firewall and VPN appliance, we will deliver our customers another powerful and low-cost Internet security solution for their fast-growing extranets and always-connected Internet workforce.&uot;

&uot;AXENT's e-security solutions are being created and delivered to meet the need of customers demanding ease of implementation, use and maintenance. As such, we recognize the need to provide organizations a secure, easy-to-use firewall solution to protect critical information where ease of deployment and use are essential - remote offices, service providers, small businesses, etc.,&uot; said Greg Coticchia, vice president of marketing for AXENT. &uot;Partnering with Cobalt, the leading provider of Linux appliances, to offer a Raptor-based appliance, enables us to meet this growing market need.&uot;

AXENT's Raptor Firewall is the premier enterprise firewall providing complete perimeter security for customers' networks, and was recently positioned by GartnerGroup as the leader for combined ability to execute and completeness of vision. Unlike other technologies, the Raptor Firewall's use of strong-proxy architecture enables organizations to scan application-specific data, enhancing the security and control of their network's data. Raptor Firewall's unique, strong-proxy technology has been integrated with industry-leading security solutions and standards as part of AXENT's Smart Security Architecture, which builds smart and appropriate integration between products and services in order to deliver real value for customers.

Pricing and Availability

The firewall appliance is expected to be available worldwide, through AXENT, Cobalt(TM), and their authorized resellers in Q3 2000 with pricing to start below $5000.

About AXENT(R)

AXENT Technologies, Inc., a global leader in information security, provides e-security solutions that maximize our customers' business advantage. AXENT delivers integrated products and expert services to assess, protect, enable and manage business processes and information assets. Through its unique Lifecycle Security(TM) methodology combined with Smart Security Architecture, AXENT delivers the &uot;right&uot; level of security for customers. Award-winning solutions offer assessment and policy compliance, firewall, intrusion detection, authentication, VPN, Web-access, single sign-on and user administration for the entire enterprise.

Headquartered in Rockville, MD, AXENT's customer-proven information security solutions are used by 45 of the Fortune 50 and governments worldwide. Contact AXENT via e-mail at [e-mail], or visit AXENT's World Wide Web site at www.axent.com.

AXENT, AXENT Technologies, the AXENT logo, Raptor, and Lifecycle Security are trademarks or registered trademarks, in the United States and certain other countries, of AXENT Technologies, Inc. or its subsidiaries. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds; Cobalt and Cobalt RaQ are trademarks of Cobalt Networks, Inc. Other company and product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.