Comstor to Provide Logistics Support For Cisco "Rapid Response" Distribution Program

TARRYTOWN, NY, January 25, 2005 - Westcon Group, Inc., a multi-national distributor of networking technology products, announced that its Comstor division has teamed with Cisco to participate in the Rapid Response distribution program and is now carrying the Cisco Guard XT 5650 distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) Mitigation Appliance. The Rapid Response distribution program, developed by Cisco, will allow channel partners to receive rapid delivery of the Cisco Guard XT solution from Comstor to enable channel partners to help customers respond immediately to perimeter security threats.

Comstor and Cisco recognize that today's DDoS attacks are more malicious, more destructive and more focused than ever. Designed for service providers, hosting centers, and online enterprises, the Cisco Guard XT solution can help ensure uninterrupted business operations, even in the face of the most malicious assaults. The Cisco Guard XT can be placed directly into a network while a DDoS attack is happening to mitigate an attack and the Cisco Rapid Response program ensures that customers get this solution into their networks as early as possible.

"We are delighted that we are able to work with Cisco as the distributor of the Cisco Guard XT Defender solution and that they are teaming with us for the Rapid Response distribution program," said Duncan Potter, vice president of worldwide marketing, Westcon Group. "Westcon Group's Comstor division is dedicated to supporting Cisco with all its in-depth competencies including our logistics and warehousing capabilities and our intellectual capital in advanced technologies."

"Recognizing that network security threats are continuously changing and evolving, Cisco is committed to working with its channel partners to help ensure the most up-to-date security solutions are immediately available to customers," said Edison Peres, vice president of advanced and core technologies, worldwide channels for Cisco. "Comstor brings deep knowledge in advanced technologies and a highly capable operational infrastructure, which together make it a critical participant of the Rapid Response distribution program."

Comstor has the unique ability to ship the solution within 2 hours of notification from its Sterling, VA warehouse facility, which is located in close proximity to Dulles International Airport. Comstor has also provided rapid response training to its sales and warehousing organization to prepare for the deployment process. Cisco acquired the technology on which the Guard XT Defender solution is built with the acquisition of Riverhead Networks in April 2004.

Jay Kirby, vice president of sales of Troubadour LTD., a Houston-based reseller, added: "For us to be truly competitive in the security market, we need to have the tools to respond quickly to unforeseen threats. The Cisco Guard XT gives us a market proven solution that addresses DOS before damage can proliferate the network."