OPSW Opsware (MM)

Opsware Inc. (NASDAQ:OPSW), the leading provider of Data Center Automation software, today announced it was awarded certification from the Center for Internet Security (CIS) for the Opsware Server Automation System and The Opsware Network. The certification was based on the strength and proven effectiveness of Opsware�s Compliance Audit and Remediation policies to create secure,�hardened server infrastructure through Opsware�s server hardening policies across Windows, Solaris and Red Hat Linux server environments. These continuously updated policies are among the many benefits of the Opsware Server Automation System's compliance capabilities and�Opsware�s compliance and vulnerability subscription service,�The Opsware Network. �Opsware�s comprehensive coverage of server hardening policies across different operating systems is a testament to its commitment to promoting the adoption of configuration best practices,� said Clint Kreitner, CIS President/CEO.��Opsware joins an elite class of vendors who strive to deliver the highest quality solutions to their customers which are consistent with the standards set forth by organizations like CIS and third parties like NIST and DISA.� The CIS Benchmarks are a set of best practice technical standards based upon the consensus of experts from the private sector and public sector entities, including the National Security Agency (NSA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). The Opsware Network provides actionable CIS Benchmarks in the form of Audit and Remediation policies that are native to Opsware�s Server Automation System, eliminating the need for IT departments to implement the benchmarks manually. This allows IT to immediately understand how their server environment meets the recommendations in the CIS Benchmarks and take corrective action as necessary. Using information it receives from The Opsware Network, the Server Automation System immediately identifies systems deemed out of compliance with the CIS Benchmarks, giving administrators the ability to automatically update affected servers at the push of a button. As a result, Opsware can significantly reduce an organization�s vulnerability window and threat risk, ensuring a hardened server environment that meets stringent industry and government standards. �CIS certification gives our customers an added degree of confidence that through the Server Automation System they are meeting widely accepted security configuration best practices from an unbiased, well-respected source,� said Tim Howes, CTO and EVP of research and development at Opsware. �This certification also demonstrates the critical role that a service like The Opsware Network can play in keeping systems up-to-date and ensuring the health and security of the entire IT infrastructure.� About The Center for Internet Security The Center for Internet Security (CIS) is a non-profit enterprise whose mission is to help organizations reduce the risk of business and e-commerce disruptions resulting from inadequate technical security controls. CIS members develop and encourage the widespread use of security configuration benchmarks through a global consensus process involving participants from the public and private sectors. The practical CIS Benchmarks support available high level standards that deal with the "Why, Who, When, and Where" aspects of IT security by detailing "How" to secure an ever widening array of workstations, servers, network devices, and software applications in terms of technology specific controls. CIS Scoring Tools analyze and report system compliance with the technical control settings in the Benchmarks. The CIS Benchmarks and Scoring Tools are available for download free of charge to the Internet community from http://www.cisecurity.org/index.html. About Opsware Inc. (NASDAQ:OPSW) Opsware, the world�s leading IT automation company, unlocks the promise of technology by accelerating IT to zero latency. The company�s software, the Opsware System, automates the entire data center, from provisioning to patching, configuration to compliance and discovery to deployment, turning data center operations into a competitive advantage for business. Opsware�s technology is used by hundreds of companies worldwide including banks, service providers, retailers, manufacturers and Internet companies with IT environments ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of servers, network devices, storage devices and IT processes. For more information on Opsware Inc., please visit our Web site at www.opsware.com. Opsware is a service mark and trademark of Opsware Inc. All other product names, service marks, and trademarks mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners.