Santa Clara, CALIF. — December 16, 2002 - Sanctum, Inc., the established leader in Web application security software, and F5 Networks, Inc. [NASDAQ: FFIV], the leading provider of Application Traffic Management products, today announced the general availability of their integrated solution that combines Sanctum's Web application firewall AppShield� and F5's Application Traffic Management device BIG-IP. This product integration delivers the first networking solution that ensures the highest level of security, availability and performance of mission-critical Web servers and applications. The two products' tight integration benefits enterprise customers by allowing rapid deployment with lower implementation cost; providing end-to-end Web application security with full control of user access and behavior; and resulting in lower hardware cost through application performance improvement.

Built on patented technology, Sanctum's AppShield monitors application traffic and enforces authorized behavior 24/7 without the need for signatures or rules. F5's BIG-IP Application Traffic Management device continuously monitors each server to ensure availability and performance, routing incoming queries to the most available server.

With 80 percent of all cyber attacks targeted at the Web application layer, and with dynamic Web sites growing in size and complexity, Web application security has become crucial for Internet-based businesses. At the same time, the increased need for ubiquitous access to Web-based information requires a high level of application availability and performance. The integrated solution from Sanctum and F5 achieves high speed application performance without compromising application-level security, saves considerable IT management costs, and allows faster time-to-market for overall site deployment.

About AppShield
Based on a positive security model, AppShield is the most advanced application firewall available in the market, providing a failsafe defense against application-level breaches. Through its patented Dynamic Policy Recognition Engine (DPRE) technology, AppShield automatically and intelligently identifies the legitimate requests made of an e-business site and permits only those actions to take place, enforcing the Web and business logic of the site.

About F5 Networks
F5 Networks is the leader in Internet Traffic Management (ITM) and delivers application aware networks through its open Internet Control Architecture. F5 features the industry's leading set of integrated products and services that manage, control and optimize Internet traffic and content. Our solutions automatically and intelligently deliver the best possible Internet performance and availability for service providers, enterprises and e-businesses. Our products remove bandwidth congestion and optimize the availability and speed of mission-critical Internet servers and applications, including web publishing, content delivery, e-commerce, caching, firewalls and more. Our solutions are widely deployed in large enterprises, the top service providers, financial institutions, government agencies, healthcare, and portals throughout the world. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and has offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. F5 Networks is located on the web at www.f5.com.

About Sanctum, Inc.
Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., Sanctum, Inc. is the recognized leader for Web application security solutions. Sanctum software solutions provide automatic enforcement of intended business processes, ensuring the protection of core information and data. By detecting and defending against any unauthorized behavior, Sanctum protects customers against malicious cybercriminal activity-from theft of intellectual property and customer data, to e-commerce fraud and Web site defacement-even if a site has unknown security holes or flaws. Sanctum's solutions complete a company's security infrastructure, assure regulatory compliance and create sustainable ROI. Sanctum's customers include industry leaders in finance, retailing, healthcare, government and telecommunications. Privately held, Sanctum is funded by blue-chip venture capital firms and industry leaders including Sprout Group, Dell, Gemini Israel Funds, Fidelity Ventures, Wachovia Strategic Ventures Group, Mofet Israel Technology Fund and Walden Israel. For more information, visit www.SanctumInc.com or contact the Company directly at (408) 352-2000.

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Diane Fraiman
Sanctum, Inc.
(408) 352-2000
[email protected]

Annie Kim or Tara Dugan
Schwartz Communications, Inc.
(415) 512-0770
[email protected]