Hyatt International Taps VeriSign for Managed Security Services

VeriSign Will Leverage Security Intelligence and Global Infrastructure To Protect Hyatt Sites Across The Globe

HostReview.com
Tuesday, February 17, 2004; 12:00 AM

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA., February 17, 2004 - VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), the leading provider of critical infrastructure services for Internet and telecommunications networks, today announced it has been awarded a multi-year contract to manage network security devices for Hyatt International, which sets operating guidelines for 90 hotels globally. After an extensive evaluation, Hyatt selected VeriSign as its preferred Managed Security Services (MSS) provider and will use VeriSign Intelligence and Control Services ControlSM Services for Network Security, including Managed Firewall and Virtual Private Network (VPN) capabilities, to enable the efficient and secure flow of information between its corporate and international sites.

"VeriSign’s expertise in security monitoring and network intelligence enables large, multi-national corporations such as Hyatt International to dramatically minimize the risk of malicious security threats and optimize their existing resources," said Judy Lin, executive vice president and general manager, VeriSign Security Services. "VeriSign’s scalable, global infrastructure provides us with a unique perspective that enables us to identify network security trends with a precision unrivaled by our competition. We are pleased to be working with Hyatt International to facilitate sophisticated management and monitoring technologies that provide them with around-the-clock vigilance of their international network."

Hyatt will rely on VeriSign to proactively monitor and manage the company’s advanced security infrastructure, establishing and maintaining a secure and trusted network that will protect mission-critical data and sensitive customer data against rapidly changing security threats. Three Hyatt International sites, corporate headquarters in Chicago, and hotels in South America and the Middle East are currently using VeriSign services, and plans include sites located in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Mexico City to be enabled by the end of 2004.

"The privacy and integrity of our customer data has always been a top priority for Hyatt, and our decision to implement a security policy that prohibited locations from possessing a permanent Internet connection was driven by that priority" said Mark Retnam, Director of Global Communications Technology. "After an extensive search process, Hyatt International selected VeriSign as our MSSP because of their world-class staff, and the unique intelligence they gather from operating critical infrastructure at the heart of the Internet. We can leverage that knowledge to help us react appropriately to security threats."

Hyatt currently provides Internet connectivity to guests in their international hotel locations. However, due to privacy and security concerns, official company policy prevented those locations from possessing a permanent business Internet connection to the back-office Local Area Network (LAN) and the information contained therein. Upon implementing VeriSign services, these locations will be allowed a permanent connection, thus enabling a 24x7 link to applications and information centrally hosted in Chicago.

The VeriSign Managed Firewall Service will provide Hyatt with expert management and monitoring of its firewalls, to ensure that the intended benefits of firewall protection are truly realized. The VeriSign Managed VPN Service will deliver encrypted site-to-site remote access solutions for Hyatt’s Internet-based network environments, reducing the cost and complexity associated with designing, maintaining, and monitoring a proprietary VPN solution.

About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), delivers critical infrastructure services that make the Internet and telecommunications networks more intelligent, reliable, and secure. Every day VeriSign helps thousands of businesses and millions of consumers connect, communicate, and transact with confidence. Additional news and information about the company is available at http://www.verisign.com.

About Hyatt International Corporation
There are 208 Hyatt hotels and resorts around the world, which are managed by two separate groups of companies. Subsidiaries of Hyatt International Corporation operate, manage or franchise 86 hotels and resorts in 38 countries, with an additional 19 hotels under development. Hyatt Corporation, a separate company, and its subsidiaries operate, manage, franchise or lease 122 hotels and resorts in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Reservation or information for any Hyatt hotel worldwide can be obtained by calling toll-free in the United States and Canada, 1-800-233-1234, your local Hyatt Hotel or Worldwide Sales Office, or your travel planner. Hyatt is accessible on the Internet at www.hyatt.com.

For more information, VeriSign Media Relations: Brendan P. Lewis, brlewis@verisign.com, 650-426-4470 VeriSign Investor Relations: Kathleen Bare, kbare@verisign.com, 650-426-3241