MCI's NetSec Unveils Distributed Denial Of Service Solution To Thwart Internet Threats And Attacks

Enables Companies like ACS to Better Protect their Networks through Advanced Cyber Attack Detection and Mitigation

ASHBURN, Va., June 6, 2005-NetSec, an MCI company (NASDAQ: MCIP), today announced the availability of WAN Defense, its new Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) offering to help business and government customers combat DDoS attacks, worms and viruses before they enter an enterprise network. Through this new network-based service, NetSec is helping customers like ACS, a premier provider of business process and information technology outsourcing solutions, to more quickly and directly address an extensive range of Internet threats.

"MCI's experience operating IP networks along with NetSec's advanced security detection and prevention capabilities enable us to provide one of the strongest security defenses for businesses, while helping to protect the Internet community-at-large," said Ken Ammon, president of NetSec. "We are now leading the industry in our ability to deliver comprehensive security solutions from the cloud to the core."

WAN Defense comprises both a detection and a mitigation offering, giving customers the option to select their desired level of protection. Leveraging MCI's award-winning IP backbone defense capabilities and NetSec's FiniumR technology and expertise, the detection component serves as an early warning system to help prevent and stop Internet attacks in real-time. By establishing baseline traffic profiles at the individual customer level, NetSec is able to identify, report and notify customers of traffic anomalies, enabling enterprises to take immediate and targeted actions against specific threats or attacks inside the network perimeter.

To mitigate attacks, WAN Defense utilizes intelligence gathered from NetSec's and MCI's extensive base of security data and the companies' combined expertise to automatically target identified risks and take further action, including diversion of attack-only traffic and identification and filtering of legitimate traffic, to halt Internet attacks at the backbone level. Helping customers to navigate this process is a secure Web portal that enables real-time reporting and traffic analysis and routing, while providing self-management tools for configuration and security policy changes.

According to the Computer Security Institute (CSI)/FBI 2004 Computer Crime and Security Survey, DDoS attacks cost 269 respondent organizations more than $26 million in 2004, second only to viruses which accounted for $55 million in losses. Left unchecked, DDoS attacks and worms can result in severe disruption of network service to customers and their end users. Attacks can also limit access to critical company applications and other network resources or completely block traffic by saturating available bandwidth.

"NetSec WAN Defense offers the proactive monitoring, prevention, detection and mitigation tools businesses and government entities are demanding to better protect their networks from the proliferating threat of malicious DDoS attacks," said John O'Keefe, Senior Internet/Managed Services Analyst for Current Analysis. "The WAN Defense Service, the first joint MCI NetSec offering, demonstrates the value the companies' combined technology and services brings to customers."

Piloting the service is ACS, a Dallas, Texas-based company that encountered multiple Internet attacks over a six-month period and required a better way to defend itself against the onslaught of malicious traffic.

"WAN Defense has been incredibly effective in containing Internet attacks for us," said Jimmy Brown, vice president, ACS Network Services. "By implementing these new capabilities and other emerging security practices, ACS has virtually eliminated the potential impact to our internal and customer networks."

This new service complements MCI's and NetSec's Internet-wide initiatives aimed at stopping malicious cyber attacks. As a charter member of the Arbor Networks Fingerprint Sharing Alliance, MCI NetSec is on the front lines of defense and is one of the first providers to be able to offer a managed security service that reaches beyond traditional network boundaries. Established in April, the Fingerprint Sharing Alliance enables network operators to systemically share Internet threat
information in real-time and block attacks that span the globe.

By combining the assets and expertise of MCI and NetSec, companies can now turn to a single solution provider to protect critical information assets and manage security needs both inside and outside of their network perimeters to increase the effectiveness of their overall security defense.

About NetSec

NetSec, an MCI company, 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 customers, NetSec offers a suite of security services powered by FiniumT, 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 by former government security experts in 1998 and acquired by MCI in February, 2005, NetSec maintains headquarters in Herndon, VA 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 one of the most expansive global IP backbones 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.