Captus Networks Creates New Configurations of Its CaptIO Security Devices to Affordably Protect Small and Mid-Sized Internet Networks Against DoS Attacks.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 11, 2001

Cost-Reduced CaptIO Devices are Ideal for Customers

Who Need a `No Compromise' Solution

to Automatically Defeat DoS Attacks

NetWorld+Interop--Captus Networks, the leader in protecting networks from denial of service (DoS) attacks, today announced two new reduced-cost configurations of its popular CaptIO(TM) network security device. Appropriately configured for the connectivity requirements of small and medium-size networks, the new CaptIO devices provide a broad range of enterprises and service providers with the full complement of Captus Networks' advanced software for detecting and stopping DoS attacks in less than a second.

The new CaptIO device supports four Fast Ethernet interfaces and one secure management interface. The new CaptIO-G device implements four Fast Ethernet interfaces, one Gigabit Ethernet interface, and a secure management interface. Like all CaptIO devices, the new configurations come in a space-saving 1U rack-mountable format with a low power consumption rating of 1 Amp for energy efficiency.

"Our new CaptIO configurations are ideal for customers who need a `no compromise' solution for creating secure, highly available networks that are protected from the destructive effects of distributed DoS attacks. These customers include the fast-growing number of small and midrange enterprises engaging in Internet commerce, as well as the many co-location and service providers who prefer to offer dedicated CaptIO devices to their customers," said Richard G. Helgeson, Captus Networks' president and CEO. "Meeting these customer requirements allows us to significantly expand the market for our industry-leading DoS solutions."

According to Zeus Kerravala, analyst and research director, Yankee Group, companies are increasingly subject to the devastating and costly effects of DoS attacks, which are on the rise. "Providing businesses with a range of effective DoS protection options is critical to helping them thwart the growing potential for liability and risk they may face. In particular, no business demanding availability for Internet customers and services can afford to be without inline protection today."

The new CaptIO device configurations implement the full complement of Captus Networks' advanced software for detecting and stopping DoS attacks in less than one second. This includes Captus' policy-based Traffic Limiting Intrusion Detection System (TLIDS(TM)) and firewall technology which provides unprecedented control in managing all traffic, including potentially devastating DoS attacks that attempt to overwhelm Web servers with a flood of bogus network packets. The TLIDS software now includes powerful new capabilities for protecting enterprise and service provider networks against a prevalent type of DoS attack known as a "SYN flood," and against reconnaissance intrusions known as "port scans" which hackers use to gather critical information about a network targeted for attack. (Note to editors: For more information on the new TLIDS capabilities, please see the 9/10/01 news release, "Captus Networks Announces Major Software Enhancements to Its CaptIO Security Devices for Enterprise and Service Provider Networks.")

The CaptIO's leadership in the DoS marketplace

In the marketplace for DoS solutions, Captus Networks' CaptIO devices offer critically important advantages over other products on the market today. CaptIO devices are unique in their ability to provide automatic and dynamic protection against both inbound and outbound DoS attacks by detecting and stopping attacks in less than one second. By contrast, other products are useful only for intrusion detection and operate in an "advisory" capacity, entailing the time lag of human intervention to stop attacks.

As part of his research into the DoS problem, John Pescatore, vice president and research director, security, Gartner Group, has said, "The solution to the DoS problem has to be in the infrastructure." Captus provides the only integrated inline security device whose functioning does not involve logging into the network router, an important architectural feature that has benefits for reducing security risk and simplifying network operations.

Availability

The new configurations of the CaptIO and CaptIO-G network security devices will be available for delivery in October 2001. Other configurations, including support for two Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, are available for immediate delivery.

Captus Networks

Captus Networks Corp. is an innovative, privately held company that designs, manufactures and markets integrated security hardware devices. In June 2001, Captus Networks closed a second round of financing, receiving $17.6 million from GMS Capital Partners, LP, St. Paul Venture Capital, Celerity Partners, H.I.G. Ventures, and several individual investors. In its initial round of funding in May 2000, the company raised $3.5 million in venture capital from GMS Capital Partners. Captus Networks' vision is to be the preeminent supplier of high performance, integrated network security devices and services for the e-business marketplace. The company's executive offices are located in Woodland, Calif., near Sacramento. Captus Networks can be contacted on the World Wide Web at www.captusnetworks.com or by calling (877) 9-CAPTUS.

CaptIO, CaptIO-G, and TLIDS are trademarks of Captus Networks. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the company with which they are associated.