FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Kate Sellers Blatt, Netscape Communications
(650)937-3859
kates@netscape.com
Kelly Brieger, VeriSign
(650)429-3424
ryan@verisign.com
NETSCAPE AND VERISIGN EXTEND RELATIONSHIP TO ENHANCE EXTRANET SECURITY
Joint Technology Integration to Simplify Deployment of Public Key
Infrastructure (PKI) Solutions for Extranet Applications
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (July 28, 1998) — Netscape Communications
Corporation (NASDAQ: NSCP) and VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN) today
announced at the Burton Group’s Catalyst Conference several key initiatives
to expand the deployment of secure Extranets by companies issuing digital
certificates within an Open Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). With this
expanded relationship, enterprise customers using VeriSign’s OnSite (sm)
PKI solution can benefit from enhanced integration between a
fully-operational PKI and Netscape client and server products. In addition,
qualified enterprise customers using Netscape Certificate server software
will be able to expand the use of their digital certificates for secure
Extranet applications. This builds on the two companies’ spectrum of PKI
product and service offerings currently available to enterprises worldwide.
While support for core PKI components including certificate revocation,
directory management and open application integration already exist for
enterprise customers using either a Netscape Certificate Server or VeriSign
OnSite, the enhancements announced today are designed to make this
functionality native in Netscape client and server products, allowing
seamless integration within an Open PKI environment. As a result of this
relationship, Netscape and VeriSign plan to deploy common advanced PKI
components — including certificate revocation, key recovery, integrated
directory support, real time certificate checking, and dual-key technology
over the course of the next six months, beginning in Q3 1998. These
enhancements are expected to greatly ease the deployment of PKI, reducing
the cost and maintenance burden and the complexity of deploying additional
desktop software mandated by stand-alone PKI solutions.
Working together, the two companies will also enable qualified customers
who are currently using Netscape’s Certificate Server software to issue and
manage digital certificates within the global VeriSign Trust Network (VTN),
the world’s leading network of interoperable digital certificates and
Certificate Authorities (CAs). Since VeriSign’s digital certificate
technology is embedded in millions of Web browsers, servers and email
clients in use today, certificates issued under the VTN benefit from global
interoperability across Intranet, Extranet and Internet applications. Joint
VeriSign/Netscape customers will also be able to choose to deploy a
fully-operational PKI through VeriSign OnSite — a state-of-the-art,
turnkey digital certificate management solution backed by VeriSign’s highly
scalable processing services with their choice of Intranet or Extranet
digital certificates.
“In the Net Economy, companies need strong authentication to enjoy the
benefits of business-to-business and business-to-consumer commerce,” said
John Paul, senior vice president and general manager of the Server Products
Division at Netscape. “By teaming together, Netscape and VeriSign are
making the deployment of Extranet security features more practical than
ever before.”
“By expanding our long-standing relationship with Netscape, we’re jointly
delivering on the promise of Open PKI and giving customers what they need
to deploy a secure Extranet,” said Richard Yanowitch, vice president of
marketing for VeriSign. “We are excited to be providing our enterprise
customers with tighter integration between our solutions, giving them the
flexibility and choice when deploying a fully operational PKI.”
Netscape and VeriSign also today released an Extranet security whitepaper
which details their road map to providing enterprises with a comprehensive,
practical approach to deploying PKI across Extranets and the Internet. The
whitepaper is available today from both companies Web sites.
VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN) is the leading provider of Public Key
Infrastructure (PKI) and digital certificate solutions used by enterprises,
Web sites and consumers to conduct secure communications and transactions
over the Internet and private networks. VeriSign’s enterprise PKI solutions
are available through VeriSign regional account representatives, resellers,
and global affiliates. The company’s Digital IDs and Secure Server IDs are
available through the company’s Web site at www.verisign.com. For more
information visit VeriSign’s Web site at http://www.verisign.com.
Netscape Communications Corporation is a leading provider of open software
and services for linking people and information over enterprise networks
and the Internet. The company offers a full line of clients, servers,
development tools, commercial applications and professional services to
create a complete platform for next-generation, live online applications.
Traded on NASDAQ under the symbol “NSCP,” Netscape Communications
Corporation is based in Mountain View, California.
Additional information on Netscape Communications Corporation is available
on the Internet at http://home.netscape.com by sending email to
info@netscape.com or by calling 650/937-2555 (corporations) or 650/937-3777
(individuals).