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AEP Networks’ SSL VPN Helps Lessen Critical Medical Situation

SOMERSET, NJ – May 23, 2006 – AEP Networks today announced that Thibodaux Regional Medical Center, located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, used the AEP Netilla Security Platform (NSP) SSL VPN solution to provide remote access for doctors in an emergency service temporary hospital set up to care for Hurricane Katrina victims. Thibodaux is located approximately 55 miles from New Orleans.

“Hurricane season begins again next week, and I am reminded of how helpful the NSP was during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005,” said Terry Evans, CIO of Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. “Emergency response after the hurricane hit was critical. If it hadn’t been for the NSP, doctors and labs wouldn’t have been able to connect with the hospital. By setting up remote access, we lessened the ‘life or death’ situation.”

Thibodaux Regional worked with the Red Cross, which had created a makeshift hospital in dormitory rooms at the local university. Doctors worked at the university ‘hospital’ to triage patients. Physicians could sign on to the network and applications just as if they were in their offices. Because the NSP gave the doctors remote access to patient information, laboratory results, etc., turnaround time for patient care was very quick.

Remote access for doctors was already in place at Thibodaux Regional prior to Hurricane Katrina. Doctors can view rounds reports and laboratory results, conduct patient care inquiries or access any of the MEDITECH software modules remotely via the NSP. The look and feel is exactly the same as if they were working on the network on their office PCs.

“The temporary hospital created after Hurricane Katrina has since been dismantled, but this was a great lesson in disaster recovery,” said Evans. “We have the capability to establish access anywhere. Because there are other local hospitals using the NSP/MEDITECH environment, we could quickly port our data and provide access through their network in the event our facilities are ever affected by other storms.”

“Our customer, Thibodaux Regional has been ranked in the top 1% of US hospitals in patient satisfaction, as evidenced by the tremendous care given to evacuees from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina,” said Reggie Best, EVP/GM of AEP Networks’ Applications Business. “We are proud that the NSP product enabled secure and efficient access to patient data, expediting communications between doctors, labs, the temporary hospital and Thibodaux Regional.”

The 2006 Atlantic hurricane season officially starts on June 1, and lasts until November 30.

About AEP Networks
AEP Networks (www.aepnetworks.com), the specialist in network and application access security, delivers infrastructure security solutions that are easy to use and manage while offering exceptional value and mission-critical reliability. The company provides a full range of solutions, including identity-based application security gateways, highly secure VPNs, SSL VPNs and cryptographic key management products, to meet the most demanding requirements of public-sector and commercial customers around the world. A privately held company backed by leading technology investors, AEP Networks is based in Somerset, NJ, with European headquarters in London and a Government Solutions Group in Rockville, MD.

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