News & Events

VeriSign Invests in the Middle East Digital Growth

Global intelligent infrastructure provider opens office in Dubai  
Neil Batstone appointed as Territory Manager for the Middle East

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, January 10, 2006 - VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure for the networked world, today announced the opening of its first office in the Middle East and the appointment of Neil Batstone as Territory Manager. In light of the 480% percent increase in Internet usage in the region since 2000(1), VeriSign has established a local presence to enable and protect interactions across voice and data networks in the Middle East, while improving service to its existing customers in the region previously serviced from VeriSign’s EMEA headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Batstone, with over five years experience working in the Middle East and ten years in the security and telecommunications industry, is building a team of local sales and technical support staff.  VeriSign expects staffing levels to ramp up quickly as the Dubai operation grows to meet increasing regional customer demand.

Simon Church, Vice President of VeriSign EMEA, said, “In the Middle East, consumers are increasingly demanding new services and applications that connect them to the information and content they want at any time, from anywhere and on any device.  In addition, companies throughout the region are relying on the Internet more and more to conduct and grow their businesses.  VeriSign is looking forward to providing our intelligent infrastructure services to help Middle Eastern companies achieve these business priorities.”

VeriSign is rapidly expanding its Middle East customer base as demand has increased for its services. The company already has many strong regional relationships, particularly in the banking and telecommunications sectors, including mobile telephone operator MTC.

Batstone commented, “With regional mobile and internet usage set to grow exponentially, the Middle East is one of the most exciting regions in which to be doing business.  Companies will be looking to deliver innovative communications services and secure their intelligent infrastructures. We are excited to provide VeriSign’s world-class services to the region.”

Miniwatts Marketing Group http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats5.htm

About VeriSign  
VeriSign Inc (NASDAQ: VRSN) operates intelligent infrastructure that enables and protects billions of interactions every day for the networked world. Additional news and information about the company is available at www.verisign.com.

For More Information 
VeriSign Media Relations: Victoria Henry, vhenry@verisign.com, +44 20 8699 0723 
VeriSign Investor Relations: 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, the possibility that VeriSign’s announced new services may not result in additional customers, profits or revenues; and increased competition and pricing pressures. 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.

###