PENANG, Malaysia - January 18, 2005 - PSDC (Penang Skills Development Centre), a non-profit training and educational centre, has deployed an integrated network security solution with equipment from Cisco Systems®. Built with the systems integration expertise from HP, the new network security solution will help enable PSDC to better manage, control and gain more visibility into its network.

Components of the solution include the Cisco® Firewall Services Module (FWSM) and the Cisco Intrusion Detection System (IDSM-2) Services Module for the Cisco Catalyst® 6500 series switches, and Cisco Security Agent software for desktop and server protection. Providing overall control for the network is the CiscoWorks VPN/Security Management Solution (VMS).

The solution provides PSDC with the type of protection that Cisco is working towards helping its customers to build, a Self-Defending Network. Such a security system fully integrated into all aspects of the network helps the network to recognize potential suspicious activity, identify threats, react appropriately, isolate infections, and respond to attacks in a coordinated way.

"PSDC is the first organization in the northern region of Malaysia to adopt Cisco's Self-Defending Network strategy. Our aggressive information and communications technology (ICT) adoption approach complements our vision and growth plans to become the preferred center offering one-stop human resource development not only for Malaysia, but also for the region. This solution has been implemented throughout our first and second building facilities. In the pipeline is a 2-phase rollout plan for our recently completed 120,000 square foot building that will host an applied engineering workshop, engineering labs, design labs, mini-auditorium, library, seminar rooms and a multi-storey car park to cater for future growth in business and training demands," said Dato' Boonler Somchit, chief executive officer of PSDC.

"Organizations around the world are recognizing the need to adopt a comprehensive security strategy to combat escalating security threats. PSDC is among the first organizations in Malaysia to adopt this strategy within their organization. The Cisco Self-Defending Network strategy is Cisco's vision for integrated network security. In 2003, the estimated global loss from viruses was US$13 billion. The reported number of incidents reported in 2003 compared to the year 2000 saw a 700 per cent increase. In an environment, where Internet worms spread across the world in a matter of minutes or seconds, security systems, and the network itself, must react instantly," said Johnson Khoo, managing director of Cisco Systems (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

"Cisco's role is to help enhance security policy management within organizations like PSDC. Our customers can use their existing investments in routing, switching, wireless, and security platforms to deploy a Cisco Self-Defending Network that will help them identify, prevent, and adapt to both known and unknown security threats," Khoo added.

"Securing the organization's security infrastructure is a primary challenge for our customers as they move toward a web-enabled networked model," said Roger Lee, country business manager, Network and Service Provider Services, of Hewlett-Packard (M) Sdn Bhd. "HP and Cisco's role is to help organizations deploy business critical solutions that will enable them to better manage this critical aspect of their network infrastructure."

As long-time industry leaders and alliance partners, HP and Cisco deliver comprehensive Internet business solutions and services that improve the productivity of customers' entire businesses, enabling them to realize measurable business value from their Internet Protocol (IP)-based investments.

The Cisco and HP alliance combines Cisco's industry leadership in networking infrastructure with HP's leadership in global IT solutions, services, support and consulting. The companies provide customers with a single, global resource for all infrastructure, platform, application integration and services requirements - from design to deployment to support.

Cisco's Self-Defending Network strategy was one of the highlights of Cisco Showcase Roadshow, which was held in Penang today. The Cisco Showcase Roadshow 2005 is a key annual industry conference for networking professionals. The one-day event hosted by Cisco comprises of topics such as Information Technology (IT) Security, Wireless and Internet Protocol Communications as well as a Technology Showcase and Networking session.

The main objective of the conference is to establish a platform for Cisco and their industry partners to provide strategic consultation support, as well as to share their expertise on deploying business-ready networking solutions. Showcase Roadshow 2005 is designed to equip networking professionals with the business and technical know-how to use ICT and the Internet to improve productivity, secure applications and enhance business processes that can be fundamental to a company's success and profitability.

About PSDC

PSDC (Penang Skills Development Centre) is a world-class non-profit training and educational centre built on a tri-partied partnership model between the Government, Industry and Academia backed by 101 member companies. Since its inception in 1989, PSDC has been offering skills enhancement and career advancement programs to meet the demand of the industry and public. PSDC has established itself as a national and international icon for training - churning out a record number of more than 100,000 trainees through the years. For more information, visit www.psdc.org.my

About HP

HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions globally. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, global services, business and home computing, and imaging and printing. For the four fiscal quarters ended Oct. 31, 2004, HP revenue totaled $79.9 billion. More information about HP (NYSE, NASDAQ: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, this year celebrates 20 years of commitment to technology innovation, industry leadership, and corporate social responsibility. Information about Cisco can be found at www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to newsroom.cisco.com. Asia Pacific news and information are available at www.cisco.com/asiapac/news.

Cisco, Cisco Systems, the Cisco Systems logo and Catalyst are registered trademarks or trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.