GTE creates the most comprehensive outsourced Internet security service for small to medium sized businesses. All businesses now can maintain the same high level of Internet security as large corporations -

IRVING, Texas - Small to medium sized businesses now have access to the same high level of security surrounding their corporate networks as their larger competitors - for less money.

GTE Internetworking, a division of GTE Corporation, has developed the most comprehensive and cost effective outsourced Internet security service created specifically for small and medium sized businesses and remote offices of large organizations. GTE's new security service, GTE Security Advantage^SM, costs up to 70% less than traditional outsourced, Internet security services and features LiveSecurity^TM software and hardware technology from WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.

For approximately one dollar per hour, small companies can take full advantage of communicating with customers, partners and suppliers over the Internet while GTE reduces their risk of attack from hackers trying to break into their networks and stealing or destroying vital information. Until today, only larger companies could afford this type of service, while smaller businesses had to rely on either complex and difficult-to-maintain security technology, or in many instances no prevention at all.

In a report developed by Dataquest in August 1998 entitled, '1998 Network User Service Strategies and Spending Plans,' Ellen Carney, director of Dataquest's Network Integration program, suggests that "it is the network administrator that is tasked with security in most organizations. Considering their other responsibilities, there would be some obvious concern in terms of whether firewall alarm logs are monitored, the impact to their data security and integrity, and even if existing security policies are even enforced."

How It Works

GTE Security Advantage includes 24 x 7 proactive monitoring and an automatic event alert system, Security Incident Rapid Response (SIRR), which generates alerts that are sent to GTE security experts when suspicious activities occur. At the time of a security compromise, a GTE security representative follows an established set of procedures to either shut down the Internet service to prevent further intrusion, or in the case of minor security events, contacts the customer to investigate. Additionally, GTE Security Advantage includes firewall management and maintenance and automatic security updates so the companies' security policy is always up-to-date and properly configured. The service is ISP independent allowing companies to use GTE for Internet connectivity or the Internet Service Provider of their choice.

"On the Internet, small and medium sized companies have access to the same customers and technology as the Fortune 500," said Michael Shumway, director of managed security services. "As these businesses invest in their future and compete on a broader scale, they increase their exposure and vulnerabilities to security threats. Previously, security solutions have been out of reach for these organizations. GTE Security Advantage eliminates the complexity and dramatically reduces the cost, enabling small and medium sized firms to use the Internet with confidence."

GTE's Security Expertise

GTE Security Advantage strengthens GTE's leading role in providing outsourced Internet security services to both domestic and international organizations. The GTE security team has logged more than 7 million hours monitoring corporate networks, from small private companies to large multinational Fortune 500 corporations.

GTE's security history spans more than 15 years in protecting worldwide banking and finance, retail and wholesale, healthcare, education, government and high-tech organizations.

"We are impressed by GTE Internetworking's extensive security expertise and are pleased they selected WatchGuard for MSS as the security platform for their next generation managed security service," said Christopher Slatt, CEO of WatchGuard Technologies. "By partnering with established leaders, such as GTE Internetworking, we are fulfilling our mission of making Internet security available to millions of unprotected small and medium-sized companies conducting business over the Internet."

Pricing

GTE recognizes that small businesses have different goals and policies for implementing network security enhancements. As a result GTE offers flexible, guaranteed service plan options to meet individual customer requirements. Prices start at $795 per month plus a one-time installation fee.

GTE Security Advantage is available immediately through all GTE sales channels. GTE Internetworking will be highlighting the service at Spring Internet World in Los Angeles, April 14 - 16 (booth #1424).

About GTE Internetworking

GTE Internetworking, a unit of GTE Corporation (NYSE: GTE) offers customers, from consumers to Fortune 500 companies, a full spectrum of integrated Internet services using IP networking technologies. GTE Internetworking delivers complete network solutions, including dial-up and dedicated Internet access, high-performance Web hosting, managed Internet security, network management, systems integration, and Web-based application development for integrating the Internet into business operations. GTE Internetworking draws upon its expertise in funded research and development of advanced technologies, including satellite networks, packet radio networks, multi-gigabit routers, network and information security, and speech recognition, and GTE's strong existing telecommunications services, including local and long distance, wireless, paging, video, and Internet. GTE is one the world's largest telecommunications companies and a leading provider of integrated voice, video and data services. More information about GTE Internetworking and GTE Corp. can be found on the Internet at http://www.gte.com.

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GTE Security Advantage is a service mark of GTE Internetworking Inc. All other service marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.