Hitachi Data Systems Recognized for Thought Leadership in Networked Storage Security

SANTA CLARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 26, 2003–

Company Expert Honored for Industry Education on Storage Security

Issues, Best Practices and Current Standards as Company Wins

First Place in White Paper Awards Second Year Running

Hitachi Data Systems, a leader in enterprise storage and a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT), has been awarded first place in the Bitpipe Third Annual White Paper Awards. The white paper, “Towards Securing Information End-to-End: Networked Storage Security Update and Best Practices,” by Arthur B. Edmonds, Jr. took top honors in the Communications category.

“This award supports Hitachi Data Systems’ belief that IT leaders not only provide the best products and services, but also contribute to and actively participate in the discussion of important industry and customer issues,” said Scott Genereux, vice president, Global Marketing and Business Development, Hitachi Data Systems. “Congratulations to Art Edmonds, the author of the winning white paper.”

This marks the second consecutive year that Hitachi Data Systems has received first place in the Bitpipe White Paper Awards. Last year the award was given to David Merrill, Storage Architect at Hitachi Data Systems for his white paper “Developing Return on Investment and Business Case Support for Storage Area Networks.” This white paper can be found at http://www.bitpipe.com/data/detail?id=998081279_371&type=RES

The Third Annual White Paper Awards Program is produced by Bitpipe, and sponsored by: leading media organizations including: eWEEK, FCW Media Group, Forbes.com, InformationWeek, Network Computing, PR Newswire and Ziff Davis Media Group. Awards were presented in four categories: Computer Hardware, Software, Communications, and Services.

Judging this year’s Awards were 10 distinguished judges with exceptional expertise in the fields of IT writing, reporting and analysis. Winning papers, chosen from hundreds of submitted entries, were judged on overall editorial quality, format, presentation, and end-user utility.

The award-winning white paper from Hitachi Data Systems describes key network storage security issues, current standards, best practices, and how to gravitate towards secure end-to-end information access without disruption of an organization’s current environment.

“Towards Securing Information End-to-End: Networked Storage Security Update and Best Practices” can be found at: http://www.hds.com/pdf/wp_129_security.pdf and at http://wp.bitpipe.com/resource/org_986190547_454/hitachi.pdf

About Bitpipe

Bitpipe, Inc. (www.bitpipe.com) is the leading syndicator of in-depth information technology (IT) content including white papers, webcasts, case studies and product literature. Bitpipe distributes content from over 3,500 leading IT vendors and over 60 top analyst firms including IDC, Aberdeen Group, and Yankee Group via the Bitpipe Network. The Bitpipe Network reaches a qualified audience of technology buyers through agreements with InformationWeek, eWEEK, CIO Insight, Network Computing, PC Magazine, Forbes.com and over 75 other leading IT and business-related websites. See the complete list of Bitpipe Network sites at http://www.bitpipe.com/data/web/bp/partners/bitpipe_partners.jsp

About Hitachi Data Systems

Hitachi Data Systems is committed to enabling organizations worldwide to exploit the full potential of information. By following and deploying our TrueNorth(TM) strategy, we provide customers with a broad range of storage solutions to simplify, protect and optimize their information infrastructures. Our offerings include centralized and distributed storage systems and software, professional services, complemented by best-of-breed products through channel partners and industry alliances.

With 2,700 employees, Hitachi Data Systems conducts business through direct and indirect channels in the public, government and private sectors in over 170 countries. Its customers include more than 50 percent of Fortune 100 companies. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.hds.com.

Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company, with approximately 340,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2002 (ended March 31, 2003) consolidated sales totaled 8,191.7 billion yen ($68.3 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors, including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s Web site at http://global.hitachi.com.

TrueNorth is a trademark of Hitachi Data Systems. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

Hitachi Data Systems is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a trademark and service mark of Hitachi, Ltd.