Imperito Strengthens Security Management Framework With Acquisition Of WellKnit Communications

Imperito, Inc., a global leader in network and client security management software, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire WellKnit Communications, Inc. WellKnit, a privately held company based in San Jose, is a developer of next generation security and network management software. The acquisition includes an enterprise security management framework, adaptors and agent technology that is additive to Imperito's market leading security management software solutions.

WellKnit was founded in 1996 and brings 6 additional years of extensive research and development to Imperito's substantial existing personnel and financial security management investments and assets. The acquisition burnishes Imperito's customer, channel, product and market advantages and:

    - Advances Imperito's presence and traction in the security 
      management software market
    - Leverages Imperito's global reach and strong sales force
    - Introduces enhanced market opportunities
    - Brings together like-minded engineering talent.

"WellKnit's work combined with Imperito's patented hierarchical policy management software and strong foothold in comprehensive security management accelerates our lead in solving customer's needs to effectively administer their enterprise security solutions," said Tim McElwee, President and CEO for Imperito. "WellKnit adds to Imperito's solid foundation and helps us continue to build our next generation security management product, which significantly reduces the pain and complexity of managing an enterprise security policy across a large number of point security products."

According to a recent IDC report, the market for security management is set to grow annually by 31% and will be worth $2,084 million by 2006. The market for secure enterprise access software is set to grow annually by 15% and will be worth $1697 million by 2006. "By positioning Imperito further within the security management software market, we are ensuring continued company growth in a market that has huge potential and very few competitors," added McElwee.

"Combining WellKnit with Imperito will give Imperito the ability to accelerate the development and roll-out of their security management software family," said Aruna Sangli, President and CEO of WellKnit Communications, Inc. "The combination of our two companies is a natural fit offering a complementary and leading solution for the market."

About Imperito

Imperito is a global leader in network and client security management. The Imperito SafeSecure family of security management solutions enables enterprises and service providers to quickly create secure network infrastructures across an open-ended range of client devices, server platforms and security applications. The award winning Imperito SafeSecure Access family of products and managed services enables fast deployments, policy-based management and quick ROI for enterprise secure access. Imperito has more than 400 global partners and well over 160 global customers. Imperito's products and services are sold directly and through its worldwide partner network. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, Imperito is privately held with funding from Charter Ventures, BEV Capital, JPMorgan Capital, Sun Microsystems, Mitsui Comtek, TechFund Capital, and private investors. For more information, please call 866 IMPERITO, 650/212-8300, or visit www.imperito.com.