Groove Networks Announces Role In Newly Announced Homeland Security Information Network

Groove software is core component of HSIN; demo at Homeland Security Conference Today

BEVERLY, Mass., February, 26 2004 – Groove Networks Inc., a leading provider of secure virtual office software that lets teams of people work over the network as if they were in the same location, today announced that its software is a core component of an information-sharing network that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced Tuesday, calling it "a key part of our national homeland security strategy." A public demonstration of the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) will occur Thursday at the AFCEA Homeland Security Conference at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.

Marking the one-year anniversary of the Department of Homeland Security, Ridge said HSIN will expand upon the Joint Regional Information Exchange System (JRIES) that includes Groove Workspace as a core component for real-time, secure, intra- and inter-agency collaboration. JRIES has been developed by state and local officials in partnership with the federal government. The exchange system allows multiple federal, state and local agencies and emergency operations centers to receive and share the same intelligence and tactical information, giving everyone involved the same "situational awareness."

Ridge said HSIN will be expanded to "all 50 states, five territories, tribal governments, and 50 major urban areas" and eventually to the private sector so it can coordinate preparedness efforts with government officials.

Ridge added that HSIN will be launched in two concurrent phases. The first, estimated to be in place by this fall, will provide real-time connectivity between The Department of Homeland Security, states and major urban areas. The second phase will enable the Department to share classified information up to the "secret" level with state and local officials.

In the future, Ridge said, the network will be expanded "to an ever-widening circle of first responders for ever-increasing layers of security," and will allow for the sharing of photos, maps and streaming video.

Ridge said this homeland security network had helped officials determine that terrorism wasn't the likely cause of last year's blackout, and has been the cornerstone of efforts to protect national monuments, and secure holiday celebrations and special events, such as the Super Bowl and New Year's Eve celebrations.

Groove software's unique decentralized architecture provides an agile, secure and extensible collaboration infrastructure to support inter-agency decision-making. Information shared within Groove workspaces is encrypted both 'over the wire' and on the user's hard drive. The software provides secure communication across insecure networks, is self-synchronizing, supports on- and off-line use, and employs a "web of trust" user authentication model.

Groove Workspace is used by more than 40 government organizations. Within ultra-secure virtual workspaces, cross-agency teams can rapidly assemble to work together anywhere at anytime, sharing just the right information with just the right people, and making decisions as if they were in the same room. Groove software's 192-bit, military-grade, always-on encryption is a core requirement for government agencies. The software's encryption technology has been certified as compliant with two government security standards: FIPS 140-2 level 1 and NIAP's Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation. Last year, Groove Workspace obtained the first Department of Defense (DoD) certification for interoperability with version 2.0 of the Defense Collaboration Tool Suite (DCTS).

Government organizations interested in learning more about secure Groove Workspace solutions can send email to sales@groove.net.

About Groove Networks
Founded in October 1997 and headquartered in Beverly, Mass., Groove Networks Inc. offers virtual office software that allows teams of people to work together over the network as if they were in the same room. Groove software helps organizations, large and small, save money, time and eliminate travel by offering both a desktop application for instant teamwork, and a set of customizable, open collaboration capabilities that enhance the utility and value of existing solutions. For more information about Groove Networks, visit http://www.groove.net.