Ponte Elects Two New Board Members; Key Executives From Morgan Stanley and Leading European Investment Group Join Ponte Board.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 27, 2002

Ponte, the pioneer of network security control (NSC), today announced that Jody Leber-Pay, vice president and manager of the IT Security Group for Morgan Stanley Institutional Securities, and Richard Hababou, managing director of Societe Generale Corporate Venture, have joined the company's board of directors.

As VP for Morgan Stanley's IT Security Group, Leber-Pay directs the firm's strategy on its global implementation of IT security products and services. Leber-Pay brings a breadth of business and security expertise to Ponte's board, having spent eight years in the financial industry and a combined 11 years with the U.S. government, private enterprise and consulting groups. She is also a published expert on computer science, and holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Northern Arizona University, an M.S. in Business Administration from East Texas State University, and an M.S. in Computer Science from the Naval Post Graduate School.

"To survive and thrive in today's challenging economic climate, a company must be a standout among its competitors with the business strategy, technology roadmap and veteran leadership to differentiate itself," said Pay. "I look forward to working with Ponte executives and board members to help the company continue to gain momentum as an innovator in the network security industry."

Richard Hababou, Ponte's second new board member, has been with leading European banking institution Societe Generale since 1987. Hababou's selection follows the recent opening of Societe Generale Corporate Venture, a new division of the organization based in the U.S. that Hababou co-directs. Prior to his assignment with the Corporate Venture Division, Hababou held numerous technology management positions, including head of new technology in Societe Generale's Retail Banking Division and deputy director of the organization's IT department in its Specialized Financing Division.

"Ponte addresses a challenge that faces all large enterprises, the rapid implementation of consistent security policy across a global network," commented Hababou. "I am eager to begin working with Ponte's executive team as it extends the value of its network security control solution to the European marketplace."

About Ponte

Founded in 1998, Ponte provides network security control (NSC) software solutions for enterprises and managed service providers. Ponte's nsControl(TM) software automates the implementation of network security policy through the centralized control of network devices, regardless of vendor or device type. Organizations can reduce operational costs and mitigate the risk of security vulnerabilities by using Ponte(TM) software to rapidly update their network in response to newly identified security threats and changes in best practices. Ponte nsControl software supports the specification of network security policy and its translation into device configurations. The automation software securely deploys configurations, firmware, and credentials, including passwords, on network devices, and maintains a database of the devices, including an auditable history. For more information, visit www.ponte.com.

Note to Editors: Ponte, the Ponte logo, and nsControl are trademarks of Ponte Communications, Inc. All other names and marks are the property of their respective companies.