Avocent Expands Smart Card/Common Access Card Support, Eases Compliance for HSPD-12 for Data Centers and Desktops

HUNTSVILLE, AL--(Marketwire - February 11, 2009) - Avocent Corporation (NASDAQ: AVCT), a global leader in IT Operations Management, today announced it has expanded its support for Smart Card/Common Access Card (CAC) technology for both desktop and the data center environments. This technology helps U.S. federal agencies and contractors comply with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12, which mandates a common identification process for employees for security reasons.

"We work closely with customers in helping them meet federal directives. As a result Avocent is the first to support smart card readers in a digital appliance, and we are committed to continuing to help government agencies and their contractors to secure access to federal facilities and computer systems," said Ben Grimes, Avocent CTO. "We save agencies time and money by reducing the amount of readers they must purchase and administer. With Avocent's desktop to data center approach, we reduce redundant access procedures."

In the data center, Avocent's DSView® 3 Management Software and DSR® switch appliances now support Smart Card/CAC reader technology. This is critical in enforcing and tracking who has access to which IT systems and data, and dictating who has control of data center management capabilities inside government systems and facilities. This technology allows Smart Card/CAC readers to be located away from the data center but still allows for secure connectivity to data center assets.

At the desktop, Avocent's SwitchView® SC switch line is validated by the National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) Common Criteria* to EAL 4+ and incorporates additional security features to ensure data protection in the secure environment without limiting the user experience. These features ensure users, such as security analysts, can use just one console to safely access data stored on multiple computers -- each operating at different levels of classification, saving time and reducing complexity. All Avocent Smart Card/CAC enabled products support the USB Chip/Smart integrated Circuit(s) Cards Interface Device (CCID) specification.

Avocent's broad line of Smart Card/CAC-supported solutions offers the following benefits to customers:

--  Supports HSPD-12 guidelines -- Support for remote Smart Cards/CAC
    readers enables secure remote access to all connected desktops with a
    single card reader.
    
--  Centralized Management -- DSView 3 software provides both out-of-band
    and in-band access to servers and equipment to assess data center health,
    and enables IT to remotely conduct operating system and other software
    repairs, and power management and monitoring.
    
--  Centralized Authentication -- Support for remote Smart Cards/CAC
    readers enables standardization from desktop to data center.
    

According to Gartner, "The creation of a system that relies on a single CAC as a means of validating identity for physical and logical security in an enterprise will, over time, enhance security, reduce card misuse and promote cost savings. Furthermore, when implemented correctly, this single CAC-type system can be used to promote a convergence between IT and physical security by promoting the blending of technology, people and processes for the overall defense of the enterprise. In addition, by 2011, 70% of enterprises implementing smart cards for network authentication will (also) follow a CAC approach." From March 3, 2008, Gartner report "Using One Card for Access Control" ID Number: G00155502.

Avocent is a GSA schedule contractor, number GS-35F0264K.

About Avocent Corporation

Avocent delivers IT operations management solutions that reduce operating costs, simplify management and increase the availability of critical IT environments 24/7 via integrated, centralized software. Additional information is available at www.avocent.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including the risks associated with the closing of the transactions and the acquisition and subsequent integration of risks associated with general economic conditions, risks attributable to future product demand, sales, and expenses, risks associated with acquisitions and acquisition integration, risks associated with product design efforts and the introduction of new products and technologies, and risks associated with obtaining and protecting intellectual property rights. Other factors that could cause operating and financial results to differ are described in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2008. Other risks may be detailed from time to time in reports to be filed with the SEC. Avocent does not undertake any obligation to publicly update its forward-looking statements based on events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Avocent, the Avocent logo, DSView, DSR and SwitchView are registered trademarks of Avocent Corporation or its affiliates in the US and other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. © Avocent Corporation 2009.

*NIAP is collaboration between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Security Agency (NSA) in fulfilling their respective responsibilities under PL 100-235 (Computer Security Act of 1987). The partnership combines the extensive IT security experience of both agencies to promote the development of technically sound security requirements for IT products and systems and appropriate measures for evaluating those products and systems.

Contact Information: Press contacts: Marianne Higgins Avocent Corporation Tel: (256) 217-1221 Email: marianne.higgins@avocent.com Gary Good Trainer Communications Tel: (707) 837-1718 Email: avo@trainercomm.com