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U.S. Department of Education Turns to VeriSign for Meeting HSPD-12 Deadline

Seamlessly Integrated Card Management System Distinguishes VeriSign Managed PKI

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, November 13, 2006 – VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure for the networked world, announced today that the U.S. Department of Education has chosen its integrated authentication services to comply with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), the Federal Government’s secure identity credentialing mandate.

VeriSign will provide the government agency with its integrated Personal Identification Verification (PIV) Card Management System (CMS) and Shared Service Provider (SSP) Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) solution.  The integrated, managed solution helps enable quick deployment and faster compliance with the mandate. 

“VeriSign’s managed PKI solution made it possible for us to deploy an HSPD-12-compliant solution without making costly infrastructure investments, saving time and taxpayer dollars,” said Winona Varnon, Esq., director of security services, Department of Education. “The seamless integration between the CMS and the SSP components represent a significant advantage over other solutions. Given VeriSign’s extensive experience operating mission critical Internet infrastructure, we are confident we have made the right decision.”

The VeriSign integrated solution provides agencies with a single, easy-to-use platform to manage the issuance and life-cycle of both the PIV card and the associated PKI credentials.  This managed service solution of smart card and certificate management systems helps enable quicker deployments and ensures the highest return on the customer’s investment.

“To comply with the HSPD-12 mandate, government agencies need proven, reliable, and scalable solutions that meet the criteria specified in Federal Information Processing Standard 201 (FIPS 201),” said George Schu, vice president for strategic development, VeriSign.  “VeriSign’s integrated PIV Card Management System and Shared Service Provider PKI allow our customers to lower the total cost of ownership by leveraging a common platform to meet critical government security requirements.”

In June of 2006, VeriSign SSP PKI was the first service to be certified under the General Services Administration (GSA)-managed FIPS 201 Evaluation Program, and subsequently was the first component added to the GSA’s FIPS 201 Approved Product List.  Government agencies that choose the VeriSign SSP PKI can be assured that not only can VeriSign provide the mandatory and optional certificate types defined in FIPS 201, but that the VeriSign SSP PKI and associated certificate validation services are being delivered by a highly scalable, reliable and secure infrastructure unmatched in the industry.

About VeriSign  
VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), operates intelligent infrastructure services that enable and protect billions of interactions every day across the world's voice and data networks. Additional news and information about the company is available at www.verisign.com.

Trademarks  
VeriSign, and other trademarks, service marks, and logos are registered or unregistered marks of VeriSign, Inc. and its subsidiaries in the United States and in foreign countries. Copyright © 2006 VeriSign, Inc. All rights reserved.

For More Information  
VeriSign Media Relations: Katie Sheldon Hammler, khammler@verisign.com, 703-948-4367 
VeriSign Investor Relations: U.S.A. Nancy Fazioli, ir@verisign.com, 650-426-5146

Forward-Looking Statement 
Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause VeriSign's actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainty of future revenue and profitability and potential fluctuations in quarterly operating results due to such factors as the inability of VeriSign to successfully develop and market new products and services and customer acceptance of any new products or services.  More information about potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial results is included in VeriSign's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. VeriSign undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.

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