AXENT Unveils New Version of Enterprise Security Manager, the Market-Leading Security Assessment and Policy Compliance Solution.

Business/Technology Editors

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 23, 2000

ESM 5.1, the Market's Most Comprehensive Security Assessment

Solution, Enables Customers to Manage Security Policies, and Perform

Complex Security Checks

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: SYMC) to be acquired, today released Enterprise Security Manager(TM) 5.1 (ESM), the only security solution to define, manage and enforce e-security policies with one enterprise-wide security management solution. ESM assesses and enforces security across the network, so organizations can confidently conduct secure e-commerce using the Internet, intranets and remote sites with customers and partners worldwide.

Version 5.1 further expands ESM's capabilities, providing unmatched scalability to organizations' demanding global e-commerce infrastructures. ESM 5.1 introduces a file watch module for Windows NT(R) and Windows(R) 2000, which allows corporations to proactively probe for trojans and zombies, commonly used for malicious attacks such as distributed denial of service and others mentioned in the SANS Institute, Department of Justice and FBI Top 10 Internet security threat list. Additionally, this new version adds over 400 new security checks to ESM's already healthy stable of assessments, enabling companies to match their security policies to the industry's latest security threats, and protect their e-business initiatives. ESM 5.1 also incorporates a completely renewed access control system, which allows organizations to delegate control over ESM's extensive security data to subdivisions, geographic regions, and more, over a company's internal network or the Internet.

"For security professionals who need to manage the vulnerabilities inherent in securing an e-business infrastructure, AXENT's new ESM 5.1 is the market-leading solution that automates the discovery of security vulnerabilities and proactively manages the risks that can disrupt day to day operations," said Ronald Van Geijn, product group manager at AXENT(R). "Unlike point products that provide limited views of security, AXENT delivers an integrated, comprehensive and scalable solution that is quick to implement, flexible and easy to use."

About ESM(TM)

According to International Data Corporation (IDC), a leading industry analyst firm, AXENT is the undisputed market leader in intrusion detection and assessment solutions (IDnA), with ESM as the worldwide leader in host-based vulnerability assessment with 68% market share ---more than the combined market share of both its nearest competitors. ESM has won numerous awards and accolades in leading publications including SC Magazine (Academy Award), Windows NT (Superior Suite) and the Crossroads 2000 A-list award.

ESM's groundbreaking technology reaches out to assess the security for every critical enterprise system, including most major operating systems and key enterprise applications. ESM 5.1 supports all leading operating systems, including Windows NT, Windows 2000, Sun(TM) Solaris(R), HP/UX(R), IBM(R) AIX(R), Compaq's(R) Tru64(R) and VMS, and Novell(R) NetWare(R), among others. ESM 5.1 integrates with Tivoli(R), HP's(R) OpenView(R), and BMC Software's(R) Patrol(R), providing the security infrastructure for these industry-leading systems management frameworks. Under AXENT's Smart Security Architecture, ESM 5.1 also integrates with AXENT's NetRecon(R), Intruder Alert(TM), and Resource Manager(TM) for UNIX(R).

Pricing and Availability

Enterprise Security Manager 5.1 is available immediately worldwide via AXENT and their authorized resellers. Pricing is based on the number of managers and agents deployed. Pricing starts at $1,995 for the manager, $995 for the server agent and $95 for the NT Workstation agent.

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, AXENT Technologies, the AXENT logo, Enterprise Security Manager, NetRecon, Intruder Alert, Resource Manager, 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. Windows NT and Windows 2000 are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.; Novell and NetWare are registered trademarks of Novell, Inc.; OpenView, HP and HP-UX are registered trademarks of Hewlett Packard Corporation; BMC Software and Patrol are registered trademarks of BMC Software, Inc.; Tivoli is a registered trademark of Tivoli Systems, Inc.; IBM and AIX are registered trademarks of International Business Machines, Inc., Compaq and Tru64 are registered trademarks of Compaq Computer Corporation; UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group; Sun and Solaris are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.