SANS Institute Honors WorldCom for Global IP Network Security Leadership

Company Receives Awards for IP Network Security Expertise and Rapid Response to Major Security Threats

CLINTON, MISS. - April 1, 2003. WorldCom (WCOEQ) today announced it received top honors from the SANS (SysAdmin, Audit, Network, Security) Institute for its superior performance in protecting the company's IP network, as well as its track record of success in responding and rapidly resolving major IP network security incidents and threats for its customers.

The SANS Institute, which awards innovative and resourceful companies for their extraordinary leadership in the Network Security field, has presented WorldCom with two key Information Security Leadership Awards in the Internet Service Provider (ISP) category. WorldCom and its security team received the Award for Leadership in Mitigating Denial of Service Attacks for its proactive efforts in developing new and aggressive techniques to identify and block Distributed Denial of Service attacks (DDOS) against its customers. WorldCom also received the Award for Leadership in Rapid Response to Worm Activity for its security team's quick and decisive work in decoding and halting the CodeRed and SQLSlammer worms.

"In fighting the epidemic of distributed denial of service attacks on the Internet, very few Internet service providers have the technical talent and tools needed to protect their clients. The Award for Leadership in Mitigating Denial of Service Attacks recognizes the firm that best exemplifies leadership in this difficult area," said Alan Paller, director of research for the SANS Institute. "When a worm is spreading through the Internet, only instant action by ISPs can protect large numbers of potential victims. The Award for Leadership in Rapid Response to Worm Activity recognizes the firm that has shown the fastest, highest-impact response to a major worm."

"IP networks are complex systems that require sophisticated skills and knowledge to manage and protect them properly," said Sara Santarelli, WorldCom vice president of Network Services. "Being the industry leader in the IP space, WorldCom has unique depth of experience and advanced capabilities that enable us provide the highest level of network security to our customers. These awards are proof positive of this accomplishment."

WorldCom's First Class Security Team
In addition to the company awards, four of WorldCom's principal security experts, Chris Morrow, network security manager; Brian W. Gemberling, senior network security specialist; Blaine S. Christian, manager of traffic engineering and support and Heather Skanks, network security specialist, were recognized by the SANS Institute as instrumental in successfully developing and executing remediation plans for both the DDOS and worm attacks.

This team of world-class engineers has worked diligently in the area of tracking and mitigating DDOS and worm threats to protect customers from broad-based attacks and respond rapidly to halt damage from new attacks. In this capacity, WorldCom's IP Network Security team has developed and deployed highly effective technology, which enables the team to quickly trace and stop these destructive attacks. This unique methodology has proven so effective it has been documented and presented at public conferences, and also shared with the company's competitors and major customers to ensure the stability of the global Internet.

WorldCom's First Class Security Services
WorldCom's leadership in the security space enables customers to enhance business continuity, strengthen security and ensure robust performance. WorldCom's unparalleled team of experts provides the essential knowledge, resources and assets for WorldCom's IP-based products and comprehensive suite of security services. Its multi-layered approach to security provides maximum data protection for business and government agency customers. Whether fully or partially outsourced, WorldCom delivers complete security solutions by seamlessly integrating Dedicated Internet Access, Data Center Services, IP VPN and Remote Access solutions over its award-winning, facilities-based WorldCom global IP network.

About WorldCom
WorldCom, Inc. (WCOEQ, MCWEQ) is a leading global communications provider, delivering advanced communications connectivity to businesses, governments and consumers. With one of the world's most expansive, wholly-owned data networks, WorldCom provides innovative data and Internet services that are the foundation for commerce and communications in today's market. With products such as The Neighborhood built by MCI and the award-winning WorldCom Connection - the industry's first comprehensive managed voice and data network service - WorldCom continues to lead the industry in converged communications solutions for the 21st century. For more information, go to http://www.worldcom.com.