FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Teltone Introduces Secure Substation Communications

March 17, 2005 (BOTHELL, Wash.) – Teltone Corporation, a leading provider of enterprise communications solutions, today announced the availability of Gauntlet, a secure utility substation communications solution. New government regulations and audits are forcing utilities to carefully consider all potential weaknesses in their overall security strategy. In the substation environment, modem access is a common security concern. Currently, most polling and control devices are accessed via dial-up modem(s) with limited password-only security or no protection at all. This leaves the substation function, data, and control at the mercy of malicious mischief and other common security threats. Protecting the power grid with hacker-proof secure communications is a must.

Teltone’s Gauntlet system answers the need to defend substation devices against threats and abide by new NERC (North American Electric Reliability Council) regulations with a present-day solution that accommodates future security and regulatory audit requirements. Secure roaming communications for technicians on the road or in the field allow polling of devices from any PC or laptop. Multilayered caller authentication, centralized administration and asset management, and event logging comprise the Gauntlet combined hardware and software solution.

The Gauntlet Gateway is built on proven, industry-standard phone line sharing technology: over 10,000 Teltone SSLSs (Substation Line Sharing Switches) have been deployed in North America. Gauntlet’s innovative, modular architecture can be adopted all at once or over time, allowing large organizations to put their units in place incrementally and turn on security features according to any rollout schedule. None of a utility’s existing modems or protective relays, meters, fault recorders, etc., need to be modified or replaced to work with the Gauntlet system. Utilities also minimize substation infrastructure cost through phone line sharing. As with earlier generations of the Teltone SLSS, up to 8 substation devices can be connected to a single Gauntlet Gateway to significantly cut leased line costs.

“Gauntlet builds on the reliability of the SLSS and adds all the cyber security features needed to keep our power grid safe from unauthorized access,” commented Debra Griffith, Teltone president and CEO. “Ahead of NERC’s deadline, Gauntlet answers and exceeds NERC’s draft requirements and is guaranteed to support NERC’s final version via a free upgrade. The Gauntlet system will protect substations today and tomorrow.”

For additional information on Gauntlet and the Teltone family of secure substation communications solutions, visit www.teltone.com or send email requests to sales@teltone.com.

About Teltone

Teltone Corporation develops and manufactures industry award-winning telephony solutions for utilities, businesses, government, and other organizations. Teltone’s product lines include secure utility communications solutions, telecom test platforms, telework solutions, and rapid notification solutions. Teltone is headquartered in Bothell, Washington.