Verizon and JAWZ Join Forces to Offer Customers Advanced Information Security Services

NEW YORK and TORONTO - In a move to help large businesses implement their e-business plans, Verizon has selected JAWZ to provide a comprehensive array of information security services to Verizon's large business customers.

The JAWZ product line will be marketed as a value-added application and will complement and support the existing suite of data communications products and services currently offered by Verizon.

Verizon, the national communications company formed by the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE, provides communications services to large business and government customers in 46 states.

JAWZ (NASDAQ: JAWZ), a leader in secure information management solutions, will provide Verizon customers with a variety of services including information security assessments, security implementations, systems integration and public key infrastructure (PKI) solutions. Both companies see PKI solutions as an important means to deploy the critical IT security needed to authenticate, verify and legitimize transactions in today's electronic world.

"This agreement links JAWZ expertise in information security solutions with Verizon's extensive selection of products and services," said Bob Mahood, executive vice president, corporate development, JAWZ Inc. "Together, we will present secure, integrated end-to-end solutions to customers. As a value added application, JAWZ security services will provide greater value to Verizon's customers and differentiate Verizon's services in the marketplace."

"Verizon is a leader in the communications industry and realizes the importance of information security in today's network-oriented e-business marketplace. JAWZ is an emerging leader in the information security industry and offers a unique and comprehensive array of security products and services that help organizations protect their information, brand and reputation," said Robert Kubbernus, chairman and chief executive officer, JAWZ Inc.

"Through this agreement, we will ensure that our customers receive the most comprehensive and cost-effective risk assessment, vulnerability analysis and information security solutions available," said Rocco Youmans, director, network security services, Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group. "The end-goal for Verizon and JAWZ is to support a secure environment for e-business transactions."

Verizon's 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 18,000 employees in 46 states, Verizon's 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's Enterprise Solutions Group, please visit www.verizon.com.

About Verizon Communications:

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ), formed by the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE, 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 more than 101 million access lines and more than 26 million wireless customers. Verizon provides services to more than 40 percent of the US population. A Fortune 10 company with more than 260,000 employees and more than $60 billion in 1999 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.

About JAWZ Inc.: "JAWZ by Name - Protective by Nature"

JAWZ Inc. is a leading secure information management solutions provider, specializing in the field of full service information security. The company's products and services line includes security software products, consulting services and secure Internet and remote data storage services. These products are offered to key client groups including governments, cyber crime and forensics specialists, healthcare providers, financial services, e-commerce businesses, and telecom suppliers specializing as Application Service Providers (ASP) and Information Service Providers (ISP). JAWZ' International headquarters are located in Toronto and its western business unit is based in Calgary. The company has principal sales and management services offices in Ottawa, Edmonton, Boston, New Jersey, Chicago and California. JAWZ employs approximately 300 employees. It has 50 established strategic partnerships and approximately 400 corporate clients.