CityReach International Speaks for European Technology at State of the World Forum; Executive Discusses European Internet Potential, Security Needs.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 8, 2000

A CityReach International executive outlined the potential for the internet in Europe at the prestigious State of the World Forum today, telling his audience that e-commerce there will rise from $84 billion to a staggering $1.5 trillion by 2004.

Frazer Hamilton, chief marketing officer for CityReach International, the European-based interconnectivity and telehousing specialist, spoke at the Millennium Enterprise Summit of the World Forum at the New York Hilton, along with key dignitaries from around the world.

Hamilton said the growth in e-commerce in Europe holds enormous potential. "While there is tremendous growth in Western Europe right now, Eastern Europe will experience its major growth in e-commerce over the next five years, with consumers spending money on what is still considered a luxury item there: personal computers. We are proud to be in the business of creating the infrastructure and setting the standards that will allow Europeans to be at the same point in technology with a relatively short time."

Hamilton warned that keeping data secure is more difficult in European countries. "Because every country has different regulations, drawing up one guideline to protect data from being misused is almost impossible," Hamilton said.

Protecting data, Hamilton said, cannot be achieved by laws and rules, but by physical protection inherent in facilities and systems such as CityReach International's Secure Internet Exchanges(SiX(TM)) located in major European Capitals. The James Bond-like security includes seven layers of protection for the structure itself, plus firewalls and hacker-proof programming.

The CityReach executive also emphasized the need for data secure centers that provide fire suppression systems, redundant back-up electrical supply and closed circuit cameras. "Securing adequate amounts of electricity in Europe is a major consideration," he said. "Most countries control the power grid and you don't automatically get power, when and where you want it," he said. "If you lose power, you can lose your data, so it is critical that adequate supplies of electricity are guaranteed before you go into a facility."

"To protect data from unauthorized use, companies must ensure they have done everything possible outside the realm of regulatory measures to secure safe keeping of customers' equipment and interconnections," Hamilton said.