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AEP Networks Joins PCI Security Standards Council as Newest Participating Organization

AEP to participate in key standards -setting body protecting payment cardholder data

SOMERSET, NJ – February 6, 2008 – AEP Networks , the leader in policy-based networking, announced today that it has joined the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council as a new participating organization. As a Participating Organization, AEP will work with the Council to evolve the PCI Data Security Standard ( DSS ) and other payment card data protection standards.

The PCI DSS, endorsed by American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB, MasterCard Worldwide and Visa Inc., requires merchants and service providers that store, process or transmit customer payment card data to adhere to information security controls and processes that ensure data integrity. More information on the council and the standard can be found at www.pcisecuritystandards.org.

As a Participating Organization, AEP Networks will now have access to the latest payment card security standards from the Council, be able to provide feedback on the standards and become part of a growing community that now includes more than 400 organizations. In an era of increasingly sophisticated attacks on systems, adhering to the PCI DSS represents an entity's best protection against data criminals. By joining as a Participating Organization, AEP is adding its voice to the process.

“The PCI Security Standards Council is committed to helping everyone involved in the payment chain protect consumer payment data,” said Bob Russo, General Manager of the PCI Security Standards Council. “By participating in the standards setting process, AEP Networks demonstrates they are playing an active part in this important end goal.”

"We are receiving questions from organizations looking to learn how to best secure their customers' data and meet all of the Standard's requirements. AEP Networks' security products allow organizations to secure their data infrastructure in compliance with the PCI DSS requirements for cardholder data segmentation and an auditable access trail," said Paul Vick, VP Business Development at AEP Networks. "Our work with the PCI Security Standards Council helps us gain additional expertise so that we can become a trusted security advisor and help our customers prove PCI compliance and remain that way.”

About PCI Security Standards Council
The mission of the PCI Security Standards Council is to enhance payment account security by fostering broad adoption of PCI security standards. For more information, please visit www.pcisecuritystandards.org.

About AEP Networks
AEP Networks offers a comprehensive Policy Networking solution that provides complete security starting at the endpoints and working throughout a network – from the edge to the core. AEP's integrated portfolio of security products includes network admission control enforcement points, identity-based application security gateways, SSL VPNs, high assurance IPSec-based VPN encryptors, and hardware security modules for key management. Our products address the most demanding security requirements of public-sector organizations and commercial enterprises internationally. The company is headquartered in Somerset , New Jersey , with offices worldwide.

AEP Networks, the AEP Networks logo, and NACpoint are trademarks of AEP Networks, Inc., with registration pending in the United States .  Netilla, SmartGate, SmartPass and SmartAdmin are registered trademarks of AEP Networks, Inc.  All other trademarks or registered trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners