AXENT Introduces VelociRaptor, First in New 'Plug & Protect' Family of Enterprise-Class Security Appliances.

Business/Technology Editors

ROCKVILLE, Md. & MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2000

Packaged, Easy-to-install VelociPliance Family Server Appliances

Revolutionize Security for Small- to Medium-sized Businesses,

Enterprise Branch Offices and Service Providers

AXENT Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AXNT), one of the world's leading Internet security solutions providers for e-business, who recently entered into a definitive agreement with Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ: YMC) to be acquired, and Cobalt Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: COBT), a leading provider of server appliances, today unveiled the VelociRaptor(R) firewall and virtual private network (VPN) appliance. VelociRaptor is the first in a series of appliances under the VelociPliance(TM) Family, a powerful new family of appliances that provides enterprise-class security software pre-loaded and fully integrated on a hardware appliance box. The new VelociPliance Family offers fully pre-configured Plug & Protect(TM) solutions with quick-and-easy wizards that guide users through a simple installation process to secure their business in just 30 minutes--direct from opening the box to up and running.

"Small businesses, ISPs and branch offices of large corporations don't have the same security expertise and dedicated administrators as larger businesses, but they are just as vulnerable," said Howard Lev, product manager at AXENT(R). "They need enterprise-class protection without the complexity of traditional solutions. VelociRaptor is specifically designed for these businesses which need a solution that simply plugs in and runs, without requiring a security expert dedicated to install, configure and maintain it."

Available by the end of November, VelociRaptor is a single rack unit high appliance combining AXENT's Raptor(R) Firewall and PowerVPN(R), the most secure firewall and VPN solutions in the industry, with Cobalt's RaQ(TM) server appliances to present an unmatched perimeter security solution. AXENT's award-winning Raptor Firewall and PowerVPN solutions are custom-designed in a Plug & Protect hardware server appliance to offer businesses the first industrial-strength, quick-and-easy perimeter security solution on the market.

"As a small, growing, high-tech company, we require the highest level of perimeter security. VelociRaptor gives smaller organizations the option to use the same enterprise security as the big companies," said Scott Ganz, network administrator at Global Infotek. "We needed a firewall with the functionality of the Linux platform, and since VelociRaptor is pre-configured, it didn't require much up front or ongoing maintenance--we plugged it in and with the use of the remote management console, we were ready to configure our custom security rules. As a network appliance, VelociRaptor seems to be a cost-effective solution to anyone's security needs."

Creating New Opportunities for Integrators, ASP and ISP Partners

VelociRaptor and the VelociPliance Family give channel partners such as value-added resellers (VARs), integrators and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) the ability to offer managed firewall services with extreme ease, opening an entirely new monthly revenue stream by protecting customers' networks. The VelociPliance Family presents an easy transition into the security services market, and also provides a quick-and-easy solution for resale to customers without dedicated security administrators. The appliance can be installed locally or at remote sites with secure remote management from a central location. The VelociPliance solutions can even be implemented by ISPs to protect not only their network, but also their customers who depend on ISPs to protect their own businesses.

"Cobalt and AXENT are delivering a true Plug & Protect firewall security appliance by integrating and optimizing AXENT's Raptor Firewall for Cobalt RaQ server appliances," said Kelly Herrell, vice president of marketing, Cobalt Networks, Inc. "VelociRaptor delivers our customers the unmatched security from AXENT and the ease-of-use and reliability of Cobalt server appliances."

Cost-effective and Scalable Pricing

VelociRaptor is priced to fit the size and needs of your business, starting at $4,995 for a block of 25 protected nodes. As business grows, VelociRaptor scales along with it, offering packages for 100, 250 or unlimited nodes as well. VelociRaptor includes AXENT's PowerVPN(R), which provides site-to-site VPN support. An optional upgrade to full VPN support includes a free RaptorMobile client, expanding protection to remote and mobile workers. Co-branded by AXENT and Cobalt Networks, the solution is available in North America through both companies' direct sales and reseller channels.

About the VelociPliance Family

The VelociPliance Family offers security solutions that are normally reserved for enterprise-class companies available to small businesses, branch offices, service providers and more--integrating AXENT's award-winning e-security solutions into an easy-to-install and maintain appliance. The VelociPliance Family capitalizes upon the additional security strength of running AXENT's solutions on a hardened Linux(R) system, pre-configured and locked down within the hardware appliance. VelociRaptor allows updates and software patches to be remotely installed, making it easy to keep pace with the continuing evolution of security as AXENT protects its customers from new threats.

The VelociPliance Family is built on the basis of AXENT's Smart Security Architecture, continuing AXENT's overall Lifecycle Security(TM) approach of creating a holistic view of organizations' network and security management. Addressing the needs of ISPs, small businesses and branch offices worldwide, the VelociPliance Family integrates AXENT products into a single, ready-to-use Plug & Protect hardware solution.

About Cobalt Networks

Cobalt Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: COBT) is a developer of server appliances that enable organizations to establish an online presence easily, cost effectively and reliably. Cobalt's product lines - the Cobalt Qube(TM) Cobalt Cache, Cobalt RaQ and Cobalt NASRaQ(TM) - are used as Internet and Web hosting server appliances at businesses, Service Providers and educational institutions. Cobalt's solutions are delivered through a global network of distributors, value-added resellers and ISPs. Founded in 1996, Cobalt Networks, Inc. (http://www.cobalt.com) is located in Mountain View, California - the heart of Silicon Valley - with international offices in Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

About AXENT(R)

AXENT Technologies, Inc., a global leader in information security, provides e-security solutions that maximize its customers' business advantage. AXENT delivers integrated products and expert services to assess, protect, enable and manage business processes and information assets, as well as to facilitate Trust Level Management(TM) within its customers' environments. Through its unique Lifecycle Security(TM) Methodology, combined with Smart Security Architecture, AXENT delivers the `right' level of trusted e-security for customers. Award-winning solutions offer assessment and policy compliance, firewall, intrusion detection, authentication and authorization technology, virtual private networking, Web access and single sign-on for enterprises and e-businesses.

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

AXENT, the AXENT logo, VelociPliance, VelociRaptor, Raptor, PowerVPN, Plug and Protect, Trust Level Management, and Lifecycle Security are trademarks or registered trademarks, in the United States and certain other countries, of AXENT Technologies, Inc. or its subsidiaries. Cobalt, Cobalt Qube, Cobalt RaQ, and Cobalt NASRaQ are trademarks of Cobalt Networks, Inc. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other names and trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.

Certain statements in this press release include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different from expectations. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks associated with industry trends related to small to medium sized businesses, Internet service providers, firewall and VPN markets, and the market acceptance of Cobalt's products for those uses. Investors are advised to read Cobalt Networks' Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a further discussion of such risks and uncertainties as well as the other uncertainties and risks Cobalt Networks faces.