Akonix Shields FDIC Members from IM Security and Compliance Risks; FDIC Voices Concern over Threats from Unmanaged Consumer Instant Messaging.

SAN DIEGO -- Akonix Systems, Inc., the premier provider of business solutions for secure, managed and integrated multi-network enterprise instant messaging (IM), has announced it provides all of the IM security and compliance solutions that Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) members require, to adhere to the recently issued FDIC financial institution letter, 'Guidance on Instant Messaging'.

The July missive warns the FDIC's 5,300 member banks and financial institutions that unmanaged IM access, using popular consumer IM clients such as Yahoo!(R), Microsoft(R) and AOL(R), exposes them to security, privacy and legal liability risks. Threats include viruses and worms, illegal downloading of copyright material, loss of confidential information and identity theft. The FDIC recommends that members protect themselves against these vulnerabilities by establishing policies and implementing solutions to allow, restrict or deny IM usage, based on the individual need of the enterprise.

As a strategic partner and authorized vendor of IM management software to AOL, Microsoft and Yahoo!, Akonix provides FDIC members with the security, compliance and management tools that enable them to control the use of IM on their networks, transforming it into a productive, business critical communications tool.

Akonix's flagship product, Akonix L7 Enterprise, gives FDIC members the power to impose security, management, reporting and regulatory compliance across both public and enterprise IM systems. This includes comprehensive logging, auditing, reporting and archiving features to comply with FDIC, federal, industry and internal compliance rules for electronic communications. Members benefit from industry-leading levels of network security against worms, viruses and Spim through automatically updated Spim and Malware Filters - and unmatched protection for confidential corporate and customer information.

"The FDIC has recognized the widespread use of IM within its member base and is adopting a leadership position in educating that this use must meet key standards for security and compliance," said Dmitry Shapiro, chief technology officer at Akonix Systems. "Akonix is well placed to support all FDIC companies in their efforts to bring IM use under control. Akonix L7 Enterprise has been successfully implemented within dozens of leading financial services organizations. These customers benefit from a single platform to manage all aspects of internal and external IM, leveraging IM as a productive business application while ensuring a fully compliant environment."

According to analyst firm, Giga Information Group, 60 percent or more of mid-size to large organizations have some level of IM use, but 90 percent of them have no formal IT support, and less than 10 percent have implemented secure, enterprise IM.

For more information on how Akonix solutions ensure networks are protected against risks from unmanaged IM use, or to try a free 30-day trial of Akonix L7 Enterprise, please visit http://www.akonix.com, or contact Akonix's sales group at [e-mail] / 619-615-9415.

About Akonix

Akonix is the leading provider of enterprise-class business solutions for leveraging the power of multi-network enterprise instant messaging. Akonix's award-winning products leverage patent-pending core technology, an advanced IM application development platform, and certified strategic partnerships to deliver multi-network management, security, integration and compliance capabilities across all major IM systems, including America Online(R) AIM and ICQ, Microsoft MSN, Yahoo!(R) Messenger, Microsoft(R) Live Communications Server, Reuters Messaging, IBM/Lotus SameTime and Jabber.

More than 250 customers in Financial Services, Telecommunications, Energy, Technology, Healthcare and Entertainment depend on Akonix to manage, secure and enable IM for over 300,000 enterprise users. Akonix is the preferred IM management solution of some of the world's largest companies, including Cingular Wireless, Qualcomm, EMC and ING.

Akonix is widely recognized as the technology and market innovator with awards for its L7 Enterprise IM gateway from Windows & .NET Magazine, Network World, eWeek, SC Magazine, PC Magazine and UCSD Connect. Akonix is backed by leading venture capital firms Menlo Ventures, Mission Ventures, Palomar Ventures and Windward Ventures, who collectively manage over $3 billion in capital.

To enable secure and productive use of multi-network instant messaging in your organization, visit www.akonix.com for a free trial or to request more information.