Riptech-CERT Joins the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams --FIRST--.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 22, 2000

Riptech's Response Team Accepted as Member of Elite Global Computer

Security Incident Response Organization; FIRST Membership Highlights

Riptech's Leadership in Security Capabilities

Riptech, Inc., the premier information security service provider, today announced that the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) has approved the Riptech Computer Emergency Response Team's (Riptech-CERT(TM)) application for membership. The FIRST is an exclusive international organization dedicated to continuing the advancement of security incident response and related disciplines. The FIRST is comprised of CERTs from renowned public and private companies, universities, and governments.

Admission to the FIRST illustrates Riptech-CERT's world-class expertise in the areas of incident response, forensics, and related capabilities. Riptech-CERT was admitted for membership after completing the extensive application process and approval by the FIRST Steering Committee.

"Our acceptance into the FIRST reflects our strong skill set in this highly specialized and complex security area," said Tim Belcher, chief technology officer at Riptech, Inc. "We are committed to being an active member of this prestigious organization and look forward to collaborating with the other world-renowned members to drive best practices in the information security industry."

The Internet is open 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and security incidents do not adhere to any administrative, geographical, or political boundaries. Membership in the FIRST allows for the exchange of ideas and information between security teams throughout the world, facilitating a quicker and more successful response to potentially debilitating security incidents.

Riptech's incident response team features recognized security experts and former leaders of US Department of Defense incident response teams. Riptech-CERT works quickly to define the scope of a security breach, takes immediate actions to minimize damage, and works with clients to rectify vulnerabilities that contributed to the event. Throughout the process, the Riptech-CERT carefully preserves evidence that may be required for criminal proceedings and works with international law enforcement agencies as requested. The Riptech-CERT is one component of Riptech's end-to-end security services that span both professional services and 24x7 managed security monitoring.

About the FIRST

Founded in 1990, the FIRST brings together computer security incident response teams from a wide variety of organizations including educational, commercial, vendor, government, and military. The FIRST aims to foster cooperation and coordination in incident prevention, to prompt rapid reaction to incidents, and to promote information sharing among members and the community at large. For more information, visit www.first.org.

About Riptech

Riptech, Inc., the premier security services provider, protects clients through advanced outsourced security monitoring and professional services. Riptech's unique technology, eSentry, provides real-time information protection through around-the-clock monitoring, analysis and response. Additionally, Riptech's Security Professional Services (SPS) group provides security policy development, assessment and auditing, penetration testing, incident forensics, and response. Riptech security specialists have secured hundreds of organizations including Fortune 500 companies, emerging e-Businesses, and federal agencies. Founded in 1998 by former Department of Defense security professionals and market experts, Riptech is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia with offices in San Jose, California, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Riptech, the Riptech logo, and eSentry are trademarks or service marks of Riptech, Inc. Other products mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.