WorldCom Unveils New Global Managed Firewall Solution

Comprehensive Security Offering Delivers Ease of Management with Online Reporting and Help Desk Support to Businesses Worldwide

CLINTON, Miss., August 20, 2002 - WorldCom (WCOEQ, MCWEQ), the leading global business data and Internet communications provider, today introduced WorldCom Managed Firewall, a new addition to its comprehensive suite of Managed Security Services, designed to enhance and simplify the protection of enterprise data worldwide.

With WorldCom's global Managed Firewall, businesses can define and implement a singular, company-wide security policy across multiple locations, regardless of geography. Managed Firewall offers one-of-a-kind capabilities through its online Security Customer Portal, providing a secure interface to service management components like real-time access to ticket information, to enable ease of management.

"As security threats become more sophisticated, WorldCom continues to extend its security services to deliver proactive solutions for our multinational customers," said Jim DeMerlis, WorldCom vice president of Product Management. "WorldCom's global Managed Firewall is truly an advanced firewall service, because it delivers the strongest level of protection coupled with unparalleled performance management and monitoring capabilities."

Through WorldCom's exclusive Web-based interface, customers are ensured of rapid set-up, simple plug-and-play deployment and ongoing ease of device management. During the initial installation, an advanced wizard allows IT administrators to designate network configurations, basic security policies and user privileges. The online portal also enables IT staff to submit configuration and security policy change requests, view daily usage reports, submit or check on ticket status in real-time, and create summary ticket reports.

Available immediately for global deployment, the Managed Firewall is based on Check Point-Software's Internet security technologies and comes with a flexible range of hardware options, giving customers the ability to upgrade as needed. It features URL blocking, an annual third-party security scan, configuration back-ups and disaster recovery support - all for one monthly fee starting at $1,400. Customers can also choose from several high availability options to ensure maximum business continuity. International roll-outs to Canada, Europe and Asia Pacific are scheduled throughout 2002 and will offer local language help desk support within each region.

Coupled with WorldCom's Internet Colocation, IP VPN Dedicated, Internet Dedicated and Remote Access services, the fully managed firewall provides customers with complete solutions that offer the strongest levels of security.

WorldCom Security Services provide maximum data protection for businesses from the network to the server to the desktop. Partnering with the world's most recognized security leaders, WorldCom delivers a comprehensive range of solutions including managed network protection, intrusion detection, remote scanning and anti-virus services. With WorldCom's managed solutions, IT staffs can offload the burden of managing their security solutions by outsourcing the consulting and design, configuration and installation, maintenance, software upgrades, 24/7 management and monitoring, backup and restoration services to WorldCom. WorldCom security customers further benefit from the expertise of the WorldCom Security Operations Center, exclusively dedicated to developing and deploying managed security solutions and providing its customers with around-the-clock support.

About WorldCom, Inc.
WorldCom, Inc. (WCOEQ, MCWEQ) is a pre-eminent global communications provider for the digital generation, operating in more than 65 countries. With one of the most expansive, wholly-owned IP networks in the world, WorldCom provides innovative data and Internet services for businesses to communicate in today's market. In April 2002, WorldCom launched The Neighborhood built by MCI - the industry's first truly any-distance, all-inclusive local and long-distance offering to consumers. For more information, go to http://www.worldcom.com.