AboveNet Introduces Secure Services for Highly Confidential Internet Transactions and Communications.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 25, 1999--

For the First Time New Services Combine High Level Physical Security with a Scalable Low Latency Network and Customer Convenience

AboveNet Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:ABOV), the architect of a global one-hop network that brings together high-bandwidth content sites, ISPs, and Application Service Providers in centralized co-location facilities, today announced a suite of secure services that are unsurpassed for meeting the physical security requirements of organizations with business-critical Internet assets, and the network security requirements of those using the Internet for highly confidential or sensitive communications and transactions.

Enterprise-class corporations in the financial services, health care, real estate, insurance, and manufacturing industries are demanding these advanced security services, as are many government agencies.

Secure Services build on AboveNet's core competencies in co-location facilities, Internet connectivity and network services and include: Secure Vault for high level physical security, Secure IP Response for filtered network access, and Secure Connectivity for managed, high-performance low-latency bandwidth.

In a related release, AboveNet also announced today its Secure Alliance Program consisting of "best-of breed" technology providers that extend AboveNet's open business model and offer additional security solutions.

For most Fortune 500 companies and government agencies, Internet security and reliability remain the major impediments to taking full advantage of the economies offered by Internet technology.

Outsourcing Internet connectivity is attractive to many of these organizations, however they require stringent physical security for their equipment and they want to be able to access their equipment in the same manner they can within their in-house data centers.

AboveNet's new Secure Services gives these organizations the physical and network security they require plus many of conveniences they would have if they maintained their equipment in-house.

"In designing these three secure services, AboveNet was responding to customer demand for the utmost in physical and network security," said Sherman Tuan, AboveNet Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "Now, our clients with highly confidential and sensitive information can have the best in security plus the benefit of AboveNet's superior network and low-latency Internet connectivity, which AboveNet backs with the best service level agreement in the industry."

"With Secure Services, corporations and agencies handling sensitive, confidential data and transactions can also enjoy the peace of mind that comes with AboveNet's scalable network and non-stop facilities," said David Rand, Chief Technology Office and AboveNet Co-founder.

Secure Vault

Secure Vaults are high security co-location facilities located within AboveNet's Internet Service Exchange (ISX) facilities. Secure Vaults clients have 24X7 direct access to their equipment, with facility access managed by round-the-clock security officers, biometric hand scanners and iris scanners, multiple surveillance camera systems, interlocking bullet resistant doors, and shielded, reinforced walls.

The Secure Vault facilities are ISO 9002 certified, and were designed to meet Federal standards for secure data centers. No other major co-location facility has taken such steps to ensure as high a level of security for its clients.

Secure IP Response

Secure IP Response helps protect organizations from disruptive network intrusions and gives them better control over their Internet security. Secure IP response provides router level packet filtering and router level IP blocking of ports, addresses, and protocols predefined by each client.

To further minimize network disruptions, a state-of-the art network monitoring and response system detects intrusions and sets in place pre-defined response procedures.

Secure Connectivity

Secure Connectivity enables VPN solutions with national and global reach by leveraging AboveNet's superior network and ISP partnerships. Through the equipment and services provided by AboveNet's Secure Alliance members, Secure Connectivity is able to support up to 300 Mbps of 3-DES encryption.

Availability

AboveNet's secure services are available today at AboveNet's Vienna, Virginia Internet Service Exchange (ISX) and will be rolled out to AboveNet's other ISX facilities beginning with the New York ISX facility in October of this year.

About AboveNet Communications Inc.

AboveNet Communications Inc. is a leading provider of Internet connectivity and co-location solutions for high bandwidth and business-critical applications. AboveNet, headquartered in San Jose, is the architect of the Internet Service Exchange (ISX) -- a world class network that provides co-location services and Internet connectivity for Content Providers, ISPs and Application Service Providers (ASPs).

The AboveNet Global One-Hop Network is designed to deliver fast, scalable and reliable connections to the Internet and improves the Internet experience for end-users. With its Tier 1 status and ISO 9002 certification, AboveNet is seeking to serve the global community of the Internet. For more information on AboveNet and its service offering call 800/475-2733 or visit the company's Web site at www.above.net.

The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward looking statements within the meaning of section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the company's expectations, beliefs, hopes, intention or strategies regarding the future. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include risks related to the company's services, including network scalability and Internet connectivity, the ability to maintain and increase peering relationships, intense competition, and other factors and risks discussed in AboveNet's documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including AboveNet's most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

Note to Editors: AboveNet, Internet Service Exchange, ISX, and AboveNet Global One-Hop Network are trademarks of AboveNet Communications, Inc. All other company or brand names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.