US Bancorp Awards VeriSign Multi-Year Managed Security Services Contract

VeriSign To Provide 24/7 Monitoring of Security Devices for 6th Largest Financial Services Holding Company in the United States

HostReview.com
Tuesday, March 9, 2004; 12:00 AM

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA., March 9, 2004 - VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), the leading provider of critical infrastructure services for the Internet and telecommunications networks, today announced it has been awarded a multi-year contract to manage network security devices for US Bancorp (Nasdaq: USB), the 6th largest financial services holding company in the United States. VeriSign, selected from among four finalists, will help US Bancorp increase its security monitoring and coverage through the use of VeriSign Intelligence and Control ServicesSM for Network Security.

"By working with US Bancorp, VeriSign is extending our leadership position in providing Managed Security Services to financial services institutions. Our expertise in MSS helps companies such as US Bancorp protect their systems, and ultimately customer assets, from the risks posed by malicious security threats," said Judy Lin, executive vice president and general manager, VeriSign Security Services. "We are pleased to be working with US Bancorp to help them keep pace with an ever-changing security landscape. Our globally distributed, scalable infrastructure provides us with a unique perspective that will enable US Bancorp to better prepare for and combat security threats."

US Bancorp will rely on VeriSign to proactively monitor and manage the company's security devices, including host and network-based intrusion detection systems, thereby establishing and maintaining a secure and trusted network that protects mission-critical data and sensitive customer data. Once fully deployed, VeriSign will monitor over 100 devices for US Bancorp. The deal represents an extension of the VeriSign/US Bancorp relationship, which currently calls for VeriSign to provide digital certificates to secure customer-facing Internet communications.

"US Bank selected VeriSign based on the company's reputation in the MSS Space, and because of the additional capabilities they gain as a result of operating critical portions of the internet and telecommunications infrastructure," said Richard Stephenson, director of information security, US Bancorp. "This gives VeriSign the capability to bring together information and provide a better service. Using VeriSign's services, US Bancorp is able to extend our coverage and capabilities with a higher level of response than we previously experienced."

VeriSign Intelligence and Control Services for Network Security enable the enterprise to proactively assess, monitor, manage, and respond to security threats. It combines real-time information, sophisticated analysis tools, and 24x7 operational monitoring and management support to provide integrated control over complex, heterogeneous networks. This approach allows the enterprise to maximize their existing investment, increase staff efficiency, implement early warning systems for business continuity, and proactively prioritize security activities and investment according to business risk.

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 US Bancorp
U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), with assets in excess of $189 billion, is the 6th largest financial services holding company in the United States. We operate over 2,243 banking offices and more than 4,425 ATMs in 24 states, and provide a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions.