Netscape Announces Netscape Directory for Secure E-Commerce

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (January 18, 1999) - Netscape Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: NSCP) today announced Netscape Directory for Secure E-Commerce, a new integrated directory and security Internet software solution for companies building e-commerce-oriented applications to compete in the Net Economy. The solution includes new Netscape Directory Server 4.0 and Netscape Certificate Management System 4.0 software to provide the directory foundation for extranet security while adding the certificate management system as an extra level of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)-based security for more sensitive transactions. In addition, Netscape announced Netscape Meta-Directory for integrating extranet applications with legacy directories. It is an optional addition to Netscape Directory for Secure E-Commerce.

Underscoring Netscape's leadership in the Internet directory and security market, Netscape also announced it has sold more than 50 million seats of Netscape Directory Server in the past six months. With security becoming the next imperative for businesses competing in the Net Economy, Lehman Brothers, Compaq, Bell Atlantic, and AIG join a growing list of customers and partners deploying and integrating with Netscape directory and security solutions.

"As companies expand their business strategy to leverage the Internet as a primary way to do business with customers and partners, security becomes a critical issue," said David Weiden, vice president of directory server and security products at Netscape. "Netscape Directory for Secure E-Commerce is a flexible security solution that offers customers a range of security options to choose from as their extranet or e-commerce business grows and changes."

Netscape Directory for Secure E-Commerce is a new product that includes Netscape Directory Server 4.0, Certificate Management System 4.0, and Delegated Administrator 4.0.

Netscape Directory Server 4.0 is an extranet application directory for the Net Economy. Unlike network operating system (NOS) directories designed for LANs and internal networks, Netscape Directory Server is proven to handle the scalability and reliability requirements of large extranet applications. Netscape Directory Server 4.0 has more than doubled performance from the prior version to support more than 50 million users and 5000 queries per second. As a result, some of the largest directories in the world currently use Netscape Directory Server, including the Bell Atlantic Internet bill viewing and Citibank worldwide electronic commerce infrastructure. Netscape Directory Server operates as a central repository of data such as passwords and user names that control users' access, authorization and security levels.

Because customers are using application directories as the foundation for extranet security, Netscape has added more sophisticated security features to Netscape Directory Server. It is the first directory to have truly deployable Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) over the SSL security protocol by adding support for SSL hardware accelerators, such as those from Chrysalis-ITS, nCipher, and Rainbow Technologies. Hardware acceleration maintains the high performance required by e-commerce applications while providing the strongest available security features. The directory provides added protection through smartcard-based authentication using smartcards from Datakey, Litronic, and others.

For companies that require the added protection of PKI-based security, Netscape offers the new Netscape Certificate Management System 4.0 software, a major upgrade of Netscape Certificate Server that is now tightly integrated with Netscape Directory Server. The new product builds on the basic access control offered in Netscape Directory Server and allows companies to easily issue, manage, and revoke their own X.509v3 public key certificates. Netscape has completely redesigned Netscape Certificate Management System to provide unmatched Internet scalability, with support for millions of users. It is the first PKI solution to provide out-of-the-box integration with existing security systems such as Kerberos and SecurID authentication modules from DASCOM and Security Dynamics, respectively. It is also easy to set up and deploy for extranets and e-commerce. The product works with standard Internet browsers, such as Netscape Communicator and Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Netscape Delegated Administrator 4.0 is an Internet application that delegates user and account management for customer self-service. Internet service providers (ISPs) and enterprises doing business through an extranet are able to delegate limited management of the directory to remote administrators and end users. Customers, partners, and suppliers can update their own account and user information on the web without having to call the administrator for every change.

As customers increase their e-commerce and extranet activities, integrating legacy applications with a growing number of web applications also becomes mission critical. The new Netscape Meta-Directory is designed to consolidate multiple directories by unifying, connecting, and synchronizing disparate corporate directory data from network operating systems, relational databases into a single source, reducing administrative costs and helping to decrease the risk of security breaches. Netscape is combining meta-directory technology licensed from ISOCOR with its own development efforts to deliver the new product.

"Netscape Directory Server and Certificate Management System have enabled Lehman Brothers to integrate strong web security features into the research and analytical services provided to our most-valued VIP customers, who routinely perform multimillion-dollar equity transactions," said Dave Macolino, vice president of Internet services at Lehman Brothers. "The high-stakes nature of our business means it's essential we do everything possible to protect the privacy of our customers. By combining directory access control with digital certificates for authentication, we are able to transmit sensitive information over the Internet to our customers."

Netscape Directory Server and Netscape Certificate Management System are also key components of other products. Vendors such as Nortel Networks, Check Point Software Technologies, Chrysalis-ITS, enCommerce, KyberPASS, nCipher, Netegrity, RedCreek Communications, Secure Computing, Security Dynamics, Sirrus, and VPNet are licensing or integrating with Netscape software for improved security functionality.

"We're pleased to offer Netscape Directory Server with DIGITAL UNIX because it will allow DIGITAL UNIX enterprise customers to centrally administer their Internet applications and thus reduce the overall cost of directory management especially critical as more and more companies deploy to customers and partners over extranets," said Tim Yeaton, vice president and general manager of Compaq's UNIX Software Division.

Netscape Directory Server 4.0 is available now at a starting price of US$2.50 per user. Netscape Certificate Management System 4.0 is expected to be available this quarter at a price of US$10 per user. Netscape Delegated Administrator is expected to be available this quarter at a price of US$1.75 per user. The products may also be purchased as part of Netscape Directory for Secure E-Commerce, which is expected to be priced at US$11.50 per user. Netscape Meta-Directory is expected to be available in the third quarter for US$3.75 per user. All prices are for extranets.

Netscape Communications Corp. is a leading provider of software and services for businesses that want to transform the way they create and keep customers in the emerging Net Economy. The company offers a full line of enterprise software solutions, professional services, and a leading Internet portal to help companies build, buy or outsource Internet applications that drive revenue growth, build customer loyalty, and create new levels of business efficiency. Traded on NASDAQ under the symbol NSCP, Netscape is based in Mountain View, Calif.

Additional information on Netscape Communications Corporation is available on the Internet at http://home.netscape.com, by sending email to info@netscape.com, or by calling 650/937-2555 (corporate sales).

Netscape, Netscape Navigator, Netscape Certificate Server, Netscape FastTrack Server, Netscape ONE, SuiteSpot, and the Netscape N and Ship's Wheel logos are registered trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation in the United States and other countries. Other Netscape logos, product names, and service names are also trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation, which may be registered in other countries.