Internet Security Systems President and CEO Addresses U.S. Senate; Urges Federal Government to Take Genuine Leadership Role on

Internet Security Systems (ISS) (NASDAQ: ISSX), the
worldwide leader in preemptive, enterprise security, today announced
that President and CEO Thomas Noonan has addressed a subcommittee of
the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to
encourage a more collaborative environment between government and
private sector to jointly answer the nation's cyber security issues.
During today's Senate hearing entitled, "Cyber Security: Recovery and
Reconstitution of Critical Networks," Noonan detailed how the
explosive growth of new Internet technologies including wireless
access, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and instant messaging has
spawned online threats that are far outpacing the security responses
of private and governmental users.
   "We as a nation are not doing nearly enough to preempt the types
of attacks that could debilitate our critical networked
infrastructure," Noonan stated. "The fact that our nation's critical
infrastructure has yet to fall victim to a large-scale cyber attack of
debilitating consequences does not mean that it cannot happen."
   Despite the efforts of many technology companies after September
11, 2001 to make products and networks more secure, the number of
software vulnerabilities found on computer systems has grown
significantly since then. Internet Security Systems X-Force(R)
research and development team predicts that as many as 7,000
vulnerabilities could be uncovered this year, a sharp contrast to the
2,500 flaws reported in 2001.
   While Noonan commended existing private sector and public-private
cooperative efforts to address the impending threat to our nation's
online infrastructure, he also recommended increased federal
government leadership in keeping cyber preparedness squarely on the
national agenda. Specifically, Noonan called for the government to:

   --  Appoint an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Cyber
        Security and Telecommunications to interact closely with the
        private sector.

   --  Develop a national plan to restore connectivity in the event
        of a large-scale cyber attack.

   --  Clearly delineate and harden the roles of the various
        public-private entities working on cyber issues.

   --  Make better, more coordinated use of security intelligence
        gathered by the private sector.

   --  Provide sustained federal funding and active Congressional
        oversight to combat cyber security threats to the nation's
        critical infrastructure and the government's own networks.

   Noonan closed his testimony by noting that the challenge the U.S.
faces in securing the nation from cyber attack is as unique as the
Internet itself, but that it is a challenge we are more than ready to
take on.
   "Today's hearing marks a promising step forward in the
collaboration between government and industry to safeguard the
Internet," said Noonan. "While key technology companies like ISS
possess the ear-to-the-ground intelligence needed to protect our
economy and critical infrastructures, we need the leadership of the
federal government to effectively leverage the knowledge, leadership
and expertise of the private sector in improving the resiliency of
networks and bolstering our nation's defenses."
   In 2002, President Bush appointed Noonan to serve as a founding
member on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC), a
homeland defense initiative that protects information systems that are
critical to the nation's infrastructure. Under Noonan's leadership,
Internet Security Systems has become the world's leading provider of
preemptive cyber security technologies for large-scale enterprises and
governments. ISS scours the Internet for potential cyber threats 24
hours a day, 365 days a year.

   About Internet Security Systems, Inc. 

   Internet Security Systems, Inc. (ISS) is the trusted security
advisor to thousands of the world's leading businesses and
governments, providing preemptive protection for networks, desktops
and servers. An established leader in security since 1994, the ISS
Proventia(R) integrated security platform automatically protects
against both known and unknown threats, keeping networks up and
running and shielding customers from online attacks before they impact
business assets. ISS products and services are based on the proactive
security intelligence of its X-Force(R) research and development team
- the unequivocal world authority in vulnerability and threat
research. The ISS product line is complemented by comprehensive
Managed Security Services and Professional Security Services. For more
information, visit the Internet Security Systems Web site at
www.iss.net or call 800-776-2362.
   Internet Security Systems is a trademark and Proventia and X-Force
are registered trademarks of Internet Security Systems, Inc. All other
companies and products mentioned are trademarks and property of their
respective owners.