Watchfire and Merlin Host Government Executive Security Symposium Moderated by Featured Industry Analyst David McClure

Key Event Brings Together Industry Leaders to Highlight Strategies to Address Application Security Issues and Help Government Executives Stay Ahead of the Latest Hackers' Techniques

WALTHAM, MA and WASHINGTON, DC - March 6, 2007 - Watchfire, the market leading provider of web application security software and services and Merlin International, one of the nation's fastest growing federal IT solutions providers, today announced a complimentary and interactive "Hacking in the Federal Government" Symposium designed to highlight strategies to address critical application security issues and to help C-level Government executives, Security and Information Assurance Officials and Privacy Managers stay ahead of the latest hackers' techniques.

As more Government services are moved online, few will argue that these web applications present significant threat to the security of the nation and its citizens. It has been widely reported that 75 percent of all attacks are targeted at the web application layer. For Department of Defense and Civilian security professionals to stay ahead of hackers and protect sensitive data while managing Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) compliance they need to first understand how vulnerabilities in applications are exposed and then exploited by cyber-criminals.

Held on March 22 at the Spy Museum 800 F Street, NW in Washington, DC, this event is designed for C-level Executives, Security and Information Assurance Officials, and Privacy Managers interested in learning more about the critical importance of web application security. This innovative symposium will feature a presentation, "Confronting the Challenges of Federal IT Security" by Gartner Inc.'s, VP Research, David McClure and will combine an interactive panel discussion with a live demonstration showcasing the latest techniques hackers use to exploit application vulnerabilities.

The panel will be comprised of senior Government DoD and Civilian security executives and will be moderated by featured analyst David McClure, VP Research for Gartner Inc.'s Global Public Sector. Panelists will share and discuss the unique challenges faced by federal agencies as they try to protect against today's latest threats.

About Merlin
Merlin International is one of the fastest growing public sector IT solutions providers in the United States. Based in Denver, with offices in Vienna, VA Columbia, MD and St. Louis, Merlin delivers technology solutions and services for a broad range of organizations including the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, civilian and intelligence agencies, as well as for state and local governments. The company's solution expertise spans Enterprise, Infrastructure and Security Solutions. Today, more than 500 clients count on Merlin's expertise to help them define, integrate, deploy, and maintain systems and networks that align information technology with program and business goals. Learn more about Merlin at www.merlin-intl.com.

About Watchfire
Watchfire is the leading provider of web application security software and the only company to offer an end-to-end solution including intelligent fix recommendations to evaluate, understand and resolve issues. More than 800 enterprises and government agencies, including AXA Financial, SunTrust, HSBC, Vodafone, Veterans Affairs and Dell rely on Watchfire to identify, report and help remediate security vulnerabilities. Watchfire has been the recipient of several industry honors including: the HP/IAPP Privacy Innovation Award: winning three out of five SC Magazine Enterprise Awards, including Best Security Company; Computerworld's Innovative Technology Award; finalist for the pending Dr. Dobb's Jolt Product Excellence Awards; and "Recommended" rating by Computer Reseller News. For two years in a row, Watchfire has been named by IDC as the worldwide market share leader in web application vulnerability assessment software. Watchfire's partners include IBM Global Services, Fortify, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sapient, Microsoft, Interwoven, EMC Documentum and Mercury. Watchfire is headquartered in Waltham, MA. For more information, please visit www.watchfire.com.