MCI's NetSec Selected by Hertfordshire County Council for Network Vulnerability Testing and Mitigation

LONDON, 24 May 2005 - MCI NetSec Global Security Services and a leading provider of managed and professional security services, today announced it is extending the range of services provided to Hertfordshire County Council. NetSec will deliver vulnerability and penetration testing of Hertfordshire County Council's networks and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure.

A leading online local authority, Hertfordshire County Council operates a number of IT systems, Web sites, and networking resources that support both corporate and public IT services. NetSec will provide the Council with new, forward-thinking services, such as application-level testing to ensure applications built in-house and externally pass pre-prescribed high standards of security.

John Alleyne, head of ICT at Hertfordshire County Council, commented:

"We have built a strong working relationship with NetSec over a number of years through project-based vulnerability scanning and penetration testing. We felt now was the time to extend the services we use and build on our highly effective working relationship, as we strengthen our internal policies and procedures, further ensuring high levels of security. This is even more important in light of a more demanding future for online government."

With new legislation like the Freedom of Information Act 2004 and the increasing need for Councils to interact more with citizens via the Web and email, Councils across the country are experiencing a greater demand for secure electronic communications. NetSec's ability to deliver strong, consistent vulnerability testing, assessment and mitigation is playing a key role in helping Hertfordshire County Council meet the needs of its constituents.

John Robson, UK technical director, NetSec, said:
"Working alongside the Council's in-house security team, we have developed a comprehensive vulnerability testing plan that is now the basis for vulnerability assessment and mitigation across all Hertfordshire County Council's networks. NetSec's consultative approach is helping customers like Hertfordshire County put in place the necessary processes and technology to safeguard their communications."

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Notes to editors:
*Councils have received several hundred thousand pounds over the last three years from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to support the government's Implementing E-Government (IEG) strategy designed to complete the modernisation of all 464 councils in England and Wales by the end of 2005.

About Hertfordshire County Council
Hertfordshire County Council is one of the leading local authorities in the country and has been rated as 'Excellent' by the Audit Commission. One of the largest local authorities it provides services to more than one million people with more than 24,000 staff and an annual budget of £1 billion. The council has a track record of service innovation supported by technology having introduced the first customer services centre in local government and first integrated children service in the UK.

About NetSec
MCI NetSec Global Security Services is a leading provider of managed and professional security services for global corporations and government agencies. With a vendor-neutral approach to the lifecycle security needs of a customer, NetSec offers a suite of security services powered by Finium ™ , a co-managed platform operated via a 24x7 disaster-resilient security operations center that continuously monitors, analyzes, and mitigates security risk with the customer. By delivering unsurpassed expertise to help organizations plan and measure their security programs, establish and monitor compliance, and optimize security infrastructure operations, NetSec has gained recognition in both the U.S. federal and global marketplaces. Founded in 1998 by former government security experts and acquired by MCI in February 2005, NetSec maintains headquarters in Herndon, Virginia and London. For more information, visit www.netsec.net.

About MCI
MCI, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCIP) is a leading global communications provider, delivering innovative, cost-effective, advanced communications connectivity to businesses, governments and consumers. With the industry's most expansive global IP backbone, based on the number of company-owned points of presence, and wholly-owned data networks, MCI develops the converged communications products and services that are the foundation for commerce and communications in today's market. For more information, go to www.mci.com.