VeriSign Chosen To Protect The Windows Azure Platform

PRESS RELEASE

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA -- (Marketwire) -- November 17, 2009 -- VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN), the trusted provider of Internet infrastructure for the networked world will provide cloud-based security and authentication for the Windows Azure platform.

Microsoft will use proven VeriSign' Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificates and VeriSign' Code Signing Certificates to safeguard cloud-based services and applications developed and deployed on the Windows Azure platform. The platform is comprised of Windows Azure: an operating system in the cloud; SQL Azure: a fully relational database in the cloud; and the Windows Azure platform AppFabric Service Bus and Windows Azure platform AppFabric Access Control. a set of pre-integrated, higher-level application services enabling developers to more easily deploy and manage composite applications spanning both server and cloud.

Microsoft's cloud-based services and applications help enterprises efficiently respond to changing demand for IT resources, while reducing their IT costs and complexity. The Windows Azure platform also provides a rich environment developers can use to quickly build innovative solutions and drive revenue growth.

Because cloud platforms like Windows Azure are elastic, dynamic and accessible from anywhere on the Internet, reliably securing the cloud requires an infrastructure that can meet the unique challenges of cloud computing by scaling on demand.

-- With VeriSign SSL Certificates, enterprise users can be assured that

applications running on Windows Azure are secured by strong SSL encryption.

VeriSign SSL also protects data moving between users, applications and

servers, while providing critical authentication between users and cloud-

based servers.

-- Developers of Windows Azure applications can sign their code with

VeriSign Code Signing Certificates, which signal to end users that the

applications come from a trusted publisher. Code Signing Certificates serve

as "virtual shrink wrap" for cloud-based applications by applying a digital

signature to code. A broken digital signature tells users that the

application has been tampered with or modified and helps protect them from

threats posed by hackers or malicious code.

-- VeriSign's Certificate Management solutions simplify the

administration of SSL certificates and digital signatures.

"We are excited that VeriSign is providing Windows Azure platform developers and end users a safe and secure environment," said Doug Hauger, general manager of Windows Azure at Microsoft Corp. "With VeriSign SSL and Code Signing Certificates, VeriSign is providing proven safeguards that help ensure a trusted experience on the Windows Azure platform."

"VeriSign is delighted to apply its expertise in providing cloud-based security solutions to the Windows Azure platform," said Fran Rosch, senior vice president of Authentication at VeriSign. "Enterprises and consumers expect world-class security from a global platform like Windows Azure, and VeriSign SSL and Code Signing solutions will ensure that they get it. As a pioneer of cloud-based solutions, VeriSign has a unique understanding of what it takes to protect this platform and those who rely on it."

VeriSign is the most respected and trusted SSL authority on the Web. In fact, more than 95% of the Fortune 500 -- and the world's 97 largest SSL-using banks -- rely on some form of SSL Certificate from VeriSign (including VeriSign and its subsidiaries, affiliates and resellers) to meet their security needs.

About VeriSign

VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN) is the trusted provider of Internet infrastructure services for the networked world. Billions of times each day, VeriSign helps companies and consumers all over the world engage in communications and commerce with confidence. Additional news and information about the company is available at www.verisign.com.