Computerworld: Storage Users Report Declining Confidence in the Security of Storage Networking Infrastructures; End-User, Analyst, Press, and Industry Communities Convene in Orlando for World's Largest Storage Networking Event.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- Despite Hurricane Wilma's trek across Orlando on day one of Storage Networking World (SNW) last week, registrants turned out by the thousands to attend over 125 sessions across four days. Determination to attend was matched by concern for the storage infrastructures they manage. In an onsite audience poll, 31 percent of attendees indicated their infrastructures were "weak" in the face of both physical and hacking threats, with an additional 31 percent stating their infrastructures were "100 percent able to withstand hackers, but weaker to physical threats." In contrast, 30 percent described their company's security as "redundant" and fully able to withstand a physical threat but weaker to hackers. Just eight percent described their security as "bulletproof." When compared to the same poll conducted at SNW Spring 2005 in April, a much more substantial 37 percent of respondents described their storage networking infrastructure as bulletproof.

Co-owned by IDG's Computerworld, the "Voice of IT Management" (www.computerworld.com), and the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) (www.snia.org), SNW is the world's largest educational forum on storage networking technologies. SNW Fall 2005 took place October 24-27, 2005, at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes Resort in Orlando, Florida.

SNW Fall 2005 offered a myriad of opportunities to attend topical niche specific concurrent sessions, stroll through a large expo with 130 sponsors, and hear industry and business experts and leaders discuss top-of-mind issues and trends. Highlights on the main stage included an end-user panel discussion on disaster recovery. With the memory of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma quite fresh, there was particular interest in opening speaker Dan Agronow - chief technology officer at The Weather Channel Interactive - and his comments detailing weather.com's need to handle increased Web traffic during threatening and turbulent weather conditions. "Storage Networking World provided me with a platform to educate participants on how we have been successful in transforming the infrastructure of the weather.com site to handle the spike in Web traffic we experience before and during hurricanes," stated Agronow.

In addition to the sessions and main stage presentations, the conference also presented attendees with the opportunity to interact with vendors showcasing a variety of industry related products and services.

"With so much activity in the space, it's hard to keep up with all the existing and new companies," said George Symons, CTO of Information Management for EMC Software. "SNW presents the opportunity to chat with colleagues within the space, as well as an opportunity to meet the new players."

"We send several members of our IT team to SNW. Each of us can find something of merit and value during the conference," said Ralph Barber, chief technology officer for Holland & Knight LLP.

SNW Spring 2006 is slated for April 3-6, 2006 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, California.

About SNW

SNW is the leading global event series focused on the continued, rapid growth and implementation of storage networking technologies. With a concentration on end-user education, SNW's content-rich agenda and quality presentations have earned the conference a reputation as the industry's leading forum. Additional program details are available at www.snwusa.com.

About Computerworld

Computerworld, the "Voice of IT Management," is the most trusted source for the critical information needs of senior IT management. Computerworld's integrated offerings form the U.S.-based hub of the world's largest (58-edition) global IT media network through its weekly publication, Computerworld.com Web site, focused conference series and custom research. In the past five years alone, Computerworld has won more than 100 print and online awards for editorial and design excellence, surpassing its direct competition by an order of magnitude. Recognition includes the 2004 Magazine of the Year Award from the American Society of Business Publication Editors and a Jesse H. Neal Award for "Best News Coverage." In print since 1967, Computerworld is the source for information technology management, with a guaranteed rate base of 180,050, a total print audience of 1,138,000 (IntelliQuest CIMS 2004 Business Influencer Study) and an online audience of over 1 million unique monthly visitors (DoubleClick).

Computerworld is a business unit of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading technology media, research and events company. A privately held company, IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers, including Bio-IT World, CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Network World and PC World. The company features the largest network of technology-specific Web sites, with more than 400 around the world. IDG is also a leading producer of more than 170 computer-related events worldwide, including LinuxWorld Conference & Expo(R), Macworld Conference & Expo(R), DEMO(R) and IDC Directions. IDC provides global market research and advice through offices in 50 countries. Company information is available at http://www.idg.com.

About the SNIA

The Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) is a not-for-profit organization made up of more than 300 companies and individuals spanning virtually the entire storage industry. SNIA members share a common goal: to set the pace of the industry by advancing the adoption of storage networks as complete and trusted solutions. To this end, the SNIA is uniquely committed to delivering standards, education and services that will propel open storage networking solutions into the broader market. For further information, visit http://www.snia.org.