Verizon Helps School Districts to Make the Grade

NEW YORK - Verizon has introduced a comprehensive suite of data security products and related specialized professional services designed to enable schools and libraries around the country to improve the security of their networks and use the Internet as an effective and worry-free learning tool.

Designed to specifically address federal regulations stipulated in the Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000 (CIPA), the Verizon suite of products and services, called the Circle of Trust^SM Education Network, provides school and library administrators anywhere in the United States with a packaged solution that helps with federal guideline compliance and required certifications.

Targeted toward educational institutions with student populations from kindergarten through the 12th grade, Verizon Circle of Trust Education Network offers the benefits of a single security platform and a single point-of-contact for accountability. Schools and libraries purchasing this suite of managed network security services will receive a full range of services, including identification of internal and external security deficiencies, definition and execution of appropriate security policies, security audits and vulnerability testing. In addition, Verizon will consult with information technology (IT) administrators regarding technology-planning safeguards such as content filtering and limiting access to website addresses (URLs). Security products available, include virtual private networks (VPNs) and firewall routers.

"Everybody is concerned about children being exposed to inappropriate materials over the Internet," said Edward McGuinness, senior vice president, marketing, Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group. "Verizon Circle of Trust Education Network provides schools and libraries around the country with the ability to offer children the full benefits of the Internet while shielding them from content considered to be harmful."

CIPA, a federal law signed in December 2000, requires that any school or library receiving federal discounts for telecommunications services through the Universal Service Fund must certify that it has in place a policy of Internet safety that includes the use of filtering or blocking technology on computers used by minors. The Universal Service Fund, established by the Federal Communications Commission as part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, is designed to ensure that all eligible schools and libraries in the United States have affordable access to modern communications and information services.

Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group

Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group manages the design, operation and maintenance of end-to-end total network integrated solutions for large business and government customers across the United States. With more than 16,000 employees in 46 states, Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group offers a complete range of basic and advanced communications products and services to meet the voice, video, data and IP-related needs of its customers. For more information on products and services available through Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group, please visit www.verizon.com.

Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 112 million access line equivalents and 27 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with approximately 260,000 employees and more than $65 billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.