WatchGuard Announces Higher-Performance LiveSecurity Systems / Expanded Product Line Brings LiveSecurity to More Demanding VPN and E-Business Environments

WGRD), a leading provider of Internet broadcast security solutions, today announced the Firebox II Plus(TM), a higher performance option for the WatchGuard LiveSecurity System(TM). The Firebox II Plus with VPN acceleration enables the WatchGuard LiveSecurity System to support up to 5,000 simultaneously authenticated users, over 50 simultaneously connected branch office Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and delivers dynamic stateful packet filtering throughput of over 75 Mb/sec. The new capabilities represent a 10 times increase in connected users, and a 5 times increase in VPN throughput. Performance improvements come from increased memory configurations, a faster processor, and the VPN acceleration hardware as well as specific tailoring of WatchGuard's software for each new appliance model. New software programming is automatically engaged for the faster Firebox models. Now, businesses conducting e-commerce can have all the benefits of LiveSecurity -- continuous security protection, ease-of-use, and plug-and-play deployment -- and a choice in performance ranges by selecting either the Firebox II, Firebox II Plus, or Firebox II Plus with VPN acceleration options for their LiveSecurity System. "Many small and mid-sized enterprises are experiencing greater performance demands as their Internet traffic increases due to their e-business initiatives -- specifically in the areas of throughput, VPN acceleration, and increased numbers of simultaneous users. Usually, high-performance security systems come with a high price and even higher levels of complexity," said Christopher Slatt, CEO of WatchGuard. "With the new Firebox II Plus models WatchGuard is offering all the ease-of-use benefits of our established LiveSecurity System plus higher performance at an affordable price." "I've been a WatchGuard customer for years and after testing the LiveSecurity System with the Firebox II Plus I'm very impressed with the performance and its ability to handle large volumes of remote user VPN traffic," said Todd Burnett, Network Manager at JDA Software in Scottsdale, Ariz. "With the new system I can enjoy the benefits of using WatchGuard's security software which has always been easy to use, and we're getting a higher level of performance as our company and VPN needs grow." Performance Delivered By Software and Hardware Integration With the introduction of the Firebox II Plus, and its VPN- accelerated version, the WatchGuard LiveSecurity System now offers a choice of three Firebox models to choose from: the Firebox II, the Firebox II Plus, and the Firebox II Plus with VPN acceleration. Companies can now choose the Firebox model that best matches their e-business environment. But it is a combination of software and hardware that delivers increased performance. The WatchGuard LiveSecurity System version 4.0 software automatically recognizes the hardware platform it is running on and any acceleration options available. With the Firebox II Plus models, the system's software is designed to automatically take advantage of increased memory, a faster processor, and the VPN accelerator if present. In addition, the software and hardware cooperation goes much further as the system automatically uses new software programming to increase throughput performance enabled by the faster Firebox II models. About the WatchGuard LiveSecurity System The WatchGuard LiveSecurity System is an innovative solution that enables companies to easily install, configure, monitor and update their Internet security. The LiveSecurity System delivers a comprehensive solution for protecting e-business that includes four key components: Security expertise via the WatchGuard LiveSecurity Broadcast Service, centralized point-and-click management software called the LiveSecurity Control Center, comprehensive protection in the WatchGuard Security Software Suite (firewall, VPN and authentication services), and plug-and- play deployment with the WatchGuard Firebox Security Appliances. The LiveSecurity Broadcast Service is an important component of the system that transmits much needed security expertise and security software updates directly to the system administrator's desktop. This innovative service enables subscribing network administrators to instantly send software updates and threat responses from their desktop to the Firebox appliance to keep the security software current against new threats. In contrast, static host-based firewall systems do not include an automated subscription-based service such as LiveSecurity, and the software updates require the resources of a highly paid security expert to ensure proper installation and maintenance. Pricing and Availability The WatchGuard LiveSecurity System with the Firebox II Plus is expected to begin shipping September 15, 1999 at a suggested list price of $9,990 in the U.S. The Firebox II Plus with VPN acceleration option brings the LiveSecurity System list price to $12,990. Both new LiveSecurity Systems will be available in the U.S. and worldwide in all government approved export countries. The WatchGuard LiveSecurity System with the Firebox II is priced at $4,990. Please visit the WatchGuard Web site for more information at http://www.watchguard.com/. About WatchGuard Technologies WatchGuard is a leading provider of dynamic, comprehensive Internet security solutions designed to protect organizations that use the Internet for electronic commerce and communications. The WatchGuard family of security products and services keeps Internet security defenses current with LiveSecurity, an innovative broadcast security service that delivers updated protection, responses to new security threats and security information to subscribers directly over the Internet. For more information, call 206-521-8340 or visit WatchGuard at www.watchguard.com. Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the time the statements are made and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect WatchGuard's actual results include, but are not limited to, the "Risk Factors" described in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Prospectus related to our initial public offering dated July 30, 1999. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon these forward-looking statements that speak only as to the date of this release. NOTE: WatchGuard is a registered trademark of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. in the United States, Norway, New Zealand and Japan, and is trademarked in other countries. Firebox and LiveSecurity are trademarks of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. ots Original Text Service: WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Frances Bigley of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc., 206-521-3577, or frances.bigley@watchguard.com Web site: http://www.watchguard.com Subscribers please note that material bearing the slug "PROTEXT" is not part of CTK's news service and is not to be published under the "CTK" slug. Protext is a commercial service providing distribution of press releases from clients, who are identified in the text of Protext reports and who bear full responsibility for their contents. PROTEXT