For Immediate Release:

Media Contact:
Monique Bautista
Akaba Inc.
(408) 884-3765
PR@Akabainc.com

Akaba Partners With Aventail to Provide PointScan© Vulnerability Assessment Services for Aventail EX-1500© SSL VPN Appliance

Partnership provides security and IT organizations with piece of mind to provide secure anywhere access over the Internet

Campbell, Calif. - Akaba Inc., a leading provider of automated vulnerability assessment services, today announced a partnership with Aventail to provide potential customers with a simple, effective way to validate the security of the Aventail EX-1500 SSL VPN appliance in their networks. Prospective customers will be able to use Akaba's industry-leading PointScan© web-based vulnerability assessment service at no cost to test the EX-1500 appliance before making their purchase decision. The partnership gives potential customers piece of mind that their VPN networks are secured against the risk of attack.

"We're delighted to have Akaba be part of our new vulnerability assessment program, said Sarah Daniels, VP of product management and marketing for Aventail. "PointScan's automated, on-line testing capabilities will make it easy for our customers to quickly and accurately validate the security of the EX-1500 in their networks."

"Aventail is demonstrating their commitment to security and their confidence that their products can be safely deployed in any network environment," said Bill Hunt, CEO of Akaba, Inc. " Security and IT professionals will also benefit from gaining hands-on experience with PointScan's powerful, web-based vulnerability assessment capabilities."

Aventail customers will also be eligible for special preferred subscription pricing for PointScan and the PointScan OnSite appliance. Details of the new program are available at http://www.aventail.com/partners/technology/vulnerability_assessment.asp?ref=pr09222003.

About PointScan: The PointScan web-based vulnerability assessment service proactively uncovers the vulnerabilities in any network on the Internet. By using PointScan on a regular basis, organizations have an efficient and cost-effective methodology to know that their network is secure from external threats, even the newest automated attack tools. Network downtime, lost revenues and productivity, as well as potential risk of reputation, are all greatly reduced.

PointScan OnSite™ Appliance: The PointScan OnSite™ appliance allows corporations and large enterprises to host the PointScan service inside their own network, providing them with complete control over the application and reports, and enabling scanning of both internal/private and external/public systems. As with the web service, PointScan OnSite is managed from a secure web browser, and requires less than 5 minutes of setup effort. PointScan OnSite meets the requirements of government agencies, financial institutions and other enterprises whose security policies require that all information about their network be maintained internally.

About Aventail
Aventail, the recognized clientless SSL VPN leader, is changing the way organizations define secure remote access. The company's clientless VPN appliances and services provide employees and business partners with transparent, anywhere access to any application from any Internet-enabled device.

Aventail has received numerous awards and accolades from the industry's top publications and analyst firms. These include recognition as a leader in both the 2003 Gartner SSL VPN and Managed Remote Access Magic Quadrants; recognition as one of Computerworld's 100 Emerging Companies; winner of InfoWorld's Hot Product, Network Magazine's Product of the Year award, Giga Information Group's Emerging Technology Scene - Best Overall Network Product, and the Crossroads A-List Award.

Half a million users and 500 global organizations have purchased Aventail's SSL VPN solutions, making Aventail the most widely deployed and proven SSL VPN on the planet. Aventail's customers include industry leaders such as Aetna, Cerner Corporation, DuPont, Ernst & Young Global LLP, FMC, IBM Global Services, and Mount Sinai NYU. For more information on Aventail, visit www.aventail.com.

About Akaba
Akaba Inc. is a leading provider of automated security scanning systems. Established in 1999, Akaba addresses the critical need for ongoing vulnerability assessments of data networks. PointScanTM and the PointScan OnSiteTM appliance detect potential threats associated with the setup, integration or use of operating systems such as MicroSoft Windows 2000, NT or XP, SOLARIS, LINUX, and others; Firewalls and VPNs; and applications such as E-mail, Web and E-commerce servers. Security and IT personnel can quickly and easily fix potential problems before they are exploited by hackers. Akaba is headquartered in Campbell, CA and has offices throughout the world. For more information about Akaba, please visit www.AKABAinc.com.