Aether PocketBlue™ Uses Certicom's Leading Security Technology to Protect Sensitive Data with Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 

Owings Mills, MD and Hayward, Calif., October 9, 2001 - Aether Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: AETH), a leading provider of wireless data products and services, and Certicom, (Nasdaq: CERT; TSE: CIC), a leading provider of mobile e-business security, today announced that they have joined forces to provide the most secure wireless handheld application in mobile government. Leveraging Certicom's SecurityBuilder® cryptographic toolkit, Aether's PocketBlue handheld application is the first mobile data product in government to use the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which was recently selected by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to replace the older Data Encryption Standard. 

"Today, it is more important than ever that mobile products used by government officials provide the maximum level of data protection," said Prakash Panjwani, Senior Vice President, Certicom. "By using Certicom's AES-based cryptographic toolkit and other safeguards, Aether PocketBlue exceeds national standards, ensuring sensitive government information is protected well into the future." 

The ability to wirelessly exchange data among small, compact personal digital assistants (PDAs) enables law enforcement officials to remain visible in the community where they are most needed and to perform undercover operations safely and discreetly. Aether PocketBlue is the first handheld law enforcement application to ensure that both in-vehicle and out-of-vehicle personnel, as well as headquarters, are integrated into an agency's mobile data system. All connected users are provided with real-time data access, silent and secure communication and system-wide alarms. 

Comprehensive Handheld Security for Government Applications 
Aether's PocketBlue includes security mechanisms that completely protect against unauthorized access both to the portable device and to the data it transmits and receives. User authentication is accomplished via a server logon with the officer's ID, password and a unique device identifier. Should the device fall into the wrong hands, any attempt at accessing data would be unsuccessful without the logon information. Furthermore, if a handheld is lost or stolen, the administrator can immediately render the device inoperable by disabling the IP address at the server. 

To ensure confidentiality, all data is protected with end-to-end security using Certicom's AES-based technology. The wireless network carriers further protect the data by the providing an additional layer of encryption during transmission. The multiple layers of encryption combined with strong authentication and a complete audit trail of activity allow system administrators to maintain maximum security over wireless handheld applications for mobile government. 

Certicom Security Built Into Aether Fusion 
In addition to being part of PocketBlue, Certicom's security technologies are built into the Aether Fusion platform, a single-source foundation for wireless access to information and applications. Aether uses Certicom's Elliptic Curve Cryptography and SSL Plus technologies in ScoutSync, a mobile enterprise data solution, and in Aether Intelligent Messaging (AIM) software, a wireless network connectivity solution. 

"Aether's roots as a company are based on securing the wireless transmission of data for financial institutions and governments," said Tom Goodman, Aether's Director of Security Services and a DoD-Certified Information Systems Security Analyst. "Aether and Certicom share the same focus on ensuring the security of wireless data in the most demanding conditions. Certicom's encryption technology plays a key role in Aether's 'umbrella' security approach, which employs state-of-the-art network security appliances, U.S. Government-certified cryptographic libraries, independent auditing and certification by third parties, and strong management commitment that ensures security is a top priority." 

About Certicom
Certicom is a leading provider of information security software and services, specializing in solutions for mobile e-business. The company's products and services are specifically designed to address the challenges imposed by a wireless data environment. Certicom's solutions incorporate its efficient encryption technology and are based on industry standards for information security that utilize public key cryptography. Certicom's products are currently licensed to more than 200 customers including Cisco Systems, Inc., Handspring Inc., Motorola, Inc., Nortel Networks, Openwave Systems, Inc., Palm, Inc., QUALCOMM, Inc., Research In Motion Ltd., Sony International (Europe) GmbH and Verizon Communications Inc. Certicom's headquarters and worldwide sales and marketing operations are based in the Silicon Valley in Hayward. For more information, visit Certicom's Web site at http://www.certicom.com. 

About Aether Systems, Inc.
Aether Systems helps enterprise customers improve efficiency and profitability by providing the services, software and support necessary to extend existing and future applications from the desktop to any wireless device. Through Aether Fusion™, Aether's wireless enabling technology foundation, Aether develops, deploys and manages wireless solutions built on industry standard technology and backed by Aether's expertise in wireless hosting, software and services. Aether provides the worlds of business and government with a single source for reliable, scalable and cost effective wireless solutions. 
All product names and logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Aether Systems, Inc., unless stated otherwise. Certicom, Security Builder and SSL Plus are trademarks or registered trademarks of Certicom Corp. 

This press release includes forward-looking statements based on current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions about Aether that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of Aether to successfully develop the products and services described in this release. These risks and other risk factors are described in Aether's report on Form 10-K with respect to the fiscal year ending December 31, 2000 and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Aether undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. 

Except for historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially. Factors that might cause a difference include, but are not limited to, those relating to the acceptance of mobile and wireless devices and the continued growth of e-commerce and m-commerce, the increase of the demand for mutual authentication in m-commerce transactions, the acceptance of Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) technology as an industry standard, the market acceptance of our principal products and sales of our customer's products, the impact of competitive products and technologies, the possibility of our products infringing patents and other intellectual property of fourth parties, and costs of product development. Certicom will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect Certicom's financial results is included in the documents Certicom files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities. 

For further information, please contact: 

Press Contacts: 

Julie Garand
Aether Systems, Inc.
Mobile Government Division
Creator of Cerulean & Sunpro Products 
(508) 460-4018
jgarand@aethersystems.com

Investors: 

Gregg Lampf
Aether Systems, Inc.
(443) 394-5165
glampf@aethersystems.com