F5 Networks Achieves OPSEC Certification from Check Point Software.

SEATTLE -- F5's BIG-IP(R) Product is Validated to Work Seamlessly with Check Point's Next Generation Internet Security Software

F5 Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV), the global leader of Application Traffic Management, today announced that its BIG-IP(R) product has again achieved OPSEC (Open Platform for Security) certification from Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ:CHKP). With this certification, customers are assured that the BIG-IP product integrates seamlessly with Check Point's market-leading VPN-1(R) Pro Next Generation (NG) with Application Intelligence Internet Security Platform. In March 2002, F5 received its initial Check Point certification for its BIG-IP platform. Adhering to customer requirements for fully-interoperable security solutions, F5 moved to integrate their latest BIG-IP product with Check Point's most current software version, NG with Application Intelligence.

"We're pleased to award F5 the OPSEC certification for their BIG-IP product, which complements Check Point's VPN-1 Pro product by ensuring the maximum availability, higher performance and scalability of our solution," said Upesh Patel, Director of Business Development at Check Point Software. "Network security and continual availability are critical for enterprises as they deploy IP-based business applications and services that involve sensitive data. OPSEC certification of BIG-IP gives customers the assurance that the combined Check Point and F5 solution meets organizations' stringent network security standards."

The BIG-IP product is the market's leading Application Traffic Management platform that ensures all business-critical traffic is properly distributed across the available resources and guarantees delivery to the intended destination. The BIG-IP product complements Check Point VPN-1 Pro deployments by increasing uptime, performance and scalability, thereby enhancing security.

"When deploying a Check Point and F5 solution, enterprises can expect extensible interoperability to achieve superior performance, scalability, and a highly secure solution for any network," said Erik Giesa, Vice President of Product Management and Marketing at F5 Networks. "Our BIG-IP solution allows for flexible deployment scenarios that easily accommodate infrastructure modifications that are dictated by business requirements, without costly disruptions."

For more information on the BIG-IP OPSEC Certification, visit: http://www.f5.com/solutions/applications/Firewalls/checkpoint_sb.html

About Check Point's OPSEC

OPSEC (Open Platform for Security) is the industry's open, multi-vendor security framework. With over 350 partners, OPSEC guarantees customers the broadest choice of best-of-breed integrated applications and deployment platforms that support Check Point's Perimeter, Internal and Web security solutions. Products that carry the OPSEC Certified seal have been tested to guarantee integration and interoperability, ensuring maximum protection for business communications and resources for corporate networks and applications, remote employees, branch offices and partner extranets. For complete OPSEC Alliance program information, including partner and product listings, the freely available OPSEC SDK (software development kit) and evaluation versions of OPSEC Certified products, visit http://www.opsec.com.

About F5 Networks

F5 enables organizations to successfully deliver business-critical applications and gives them the greatest level of agility to stay ahead of growing business demands. As the pioneer and global leader in Application Traffic Management, F5 continues to lead the industry by driving more intelligence into the network to deliver advanced application agility. F5 products ensure the secure and optimized delivery of applications to any user -- anywhere. Through its flexible and cohesive architecture, F5 delivers unmatched value by dramatically improving the way organizations serve their employees, customers and constituents, while lowering operational costs. Over 6,000 organizations and service providers worldwide trust F5 to keep their businesses running. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with offices worldwide. For more information go to www.f5.com.

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