Business and Schools Can Reinforce Internet and PC 'Acceptable Use Policies' With New 'Policy Central' Software Utility from Security Software Systems, Inc.

Business/Technology Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 30, 2001

Policy Central(TM) a flexible and powerful new software solution designed to protect businesses and schools by reinforcing their Internet, PC and other Acceptable Use Policies, is now available from Security Software Systems, Inc.

Previewed at Cybercrime 2001, a national symposium on computer-related crime, Policy Central is application-independent and runs on networked PCs to help enforce business and school policies. It guards against activities not within acceptable use policies, reduces liability for businesses and schools, and boosts productivity by delivering a user-customizable policy message to the desktop.

Policy Central is easily configured by managers or administrators to display Acceptable Use Policies covering the Internet, computers and applications, telephones, copiers or other school and work equipment and/or rules. Policy display announcements are delivered as often as desired - weekly, daily, or even every time a user attempts to enter a specific application - with users required to accept terms before using an application.

Non-Policy Use of Internet, PCs is Rampant

"Business managers and school administrators are painfully aware about illicit use of the Internet and PC hardware and software abuse during work and school hours . . . and their potential legal liability," said Dan Jude, president of Security Software Systems. "Non-policy use of the Internet, PCs and other equipment is rampant, and business and school leaders are concerned about their legal responsibility for these activities during work or school hours. Policy Central protects everyone.

"It's impossible to pick up a newspaper, turn on TV or radio, or check news online without hearing about illicit Internet surfing, e-mails, or other PC and equipment-related misuse," Jude added. "The New York Times, Xerox, Compaq, and Dow Chemical and others have recently dismissed workers for this offense, and courtrooms are filling with lawsuits levied by terminated employees who say they 'didn't know' or 'weren't reminded' of new acceptable use policies. Policy Central ensures that policies are known and reinforced - on the PC screen - at intervals determined by managers and administrators."

Policy Central doesn't block or filter policy violations; rather, it monitors violations defined by policy, such as Web surfing for pornographic or sexual material, sending sexually harassing e-mails or attachments, writing harassing or hate documents, or divulging company confidential information). When a violation is detected, Policy Central captures a screen image, which is sent to a secure database on the server."

Policy Central runs on Windows(R) 9X, 2000 and Windows NT(R), and is available at the introductory price of $2,995 for the sever/administrative software and 10 user licenses through February 28, 2001, when it will cost $3,995. Site license pricing is available at $22 per seat when 1,000 licenses are purchased.

About Security Software Systems, Inc.

Security Software Systems, Inc. (SSSI, www.securitysoft.com), develops and markets award-winning Advanced Internet Management software. Based in suburban Chicago, SSSI focuses on systems that secure networked and standalone PCs for businesses, education, ISPs and consumers. Along with Policy Central, it offers: Cyber Sentinel(TM), the internationally-popular application which effectively and intelligently protects children from online pornography and predators; Cyber Sentinel Network(TM), a C/S network version of CyberSentinel for schools and businesses; Predator Guard(TM), which provides real-time protection for children in chat rooms, instant messaging, e-mail and attachments, either standalone or with other products; LockDown(TM), which secures the desktop, controls which applications can be installed/run, and manages time/resources; and NetFocus(TM), an Internet/Intranet application that lets managers and administrators determine and control online access by restricting non-essential Internet activity.

Cyber Sentinel, LockDown, Cyber Sentinel Network, NetFocus, Policy Central and Predator Guard are trademarks of Security Software Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

Editor's Note: Dan Jude, president of Security Software Systems, who testified before the Child Online Protection Act Commission (COPA) and spoke at Cybercrime 2000, the National Symposium on Cyber Crime, is available for interviews and comments at [phone] or [e-mail].