Certicom Expands Executive Management Team with Key Appointments

HAYWARD, Calif., February 24, 2000 – Certicom, a leading provider of mobile e-business security, today announced the following appointments: Richard Depew to executive vice president, field operations; Richard Brounstein to senior vice president, finance and chief financial officer; Robert Williams to senior vice president, product development; and Tim Dierks to chief technology officer.

"These appointments mark the beginning of a new era for Certicom," said Rick Dalmazzi, president and CEO of Certicom. We’re organizing for rapid growth and an aggressive move into new markets as the worldwide demand for our technology increases."

Mr. Depew was formerly vice president, worldwide sales and business development. In his new role Mr. Depew will have added responsibility for Certicom’s professional services business. He will be responsible for developing the business for Certicom’s entire line of products and services worldwide, as well as forging key strategic relationships for the company. Mr. Depew will work out of Certicom’s Hayward, California office.

"I'm extremely pleased to announce Richard’s promotion to executive vice president," said Mr. Dalmazzi. "This appointment is a well-deserved recognition of his leadership skills and his stature within our industry. Richard has been a key contributor to Certicom’s success since he joined us. He is a highly-respected information systems security executive."

Mr. Brounstein joins Certicom as the company’s chief financial officer, as part of a relocation of that position to the Silicon Valley office. Mr. Brounstein has extensive senior financial management and operations experience, including thirteen years as a public company CFO in the medical devices and software sector. During that time he orchestrated several private and public equity financings. Most recently Mr. Brounstein was CFO of VidaMed, Inc., and prior to that was CFO of MedaSonics, Inc. He has also worked for Advanced Micro Devices, and Arthur Andersen & Co. Mr. Brounstein will work out of Certicom’s Hayward, California office.

"Rich is a seasoned financial executive who is well known to the public markets," said Mr. Dalmazzi. "He also brings with him a great deal of operations experience, which will be extremely important as we grow the company. I’m delighted to welcome Rich to Certicom’s senior management team."

Bruce MacInnis, formerly CFO of Certicom, will remain with the company in a senior financial advisory position in the Mississauga office.

Mr. Williams joins Certicom in the Mississauga office, where the company will continue to expand its research and development operation. Prior to joining Certicom Mr. Williams was vice president, engineering and acting president of Nexsys-Commetch, a Waterloo, Ontario based developer of two-way wireless communications technology. Prior to that Mr. Williams was vice president, operations for Mobile Computing Corporation of Mississauga, Ontario. He also worked for TIL Systems Ltd. Mr. Williams has over 20 years experience in development, development management, professional services, business development, and executive management.
"I’m pleased to appoint Rob to the dual role of leading Certicom’s worldwide product development effort, while serving as Certicom’s top operating executive in our Mississauga office," said Mr. Dalmazzi. "Our objective is to be the recognized leader in applied cryptography, with a development organization known worldwide for its innovation and quality. Rob has the technical experience and management skills to lead that effort."
Mr. Dierks was formerly vice president, product development. In his new role as CTO, Mr. Dierks will be responsible for making strategic technology decisions for Certicom, and will manage the product management function. He will also work with Certicom’s strategic technology partners. Mr. Dierks will work out of Certicom’s Hayward, California office.

"Tim is a recognized world-class expert in security systems architecture," said Mr. Dalmazzi. "His advice is sought not only by our own engineering group, but by many of our leading customers. The technology of our industry is extremely complex, and Tim navigates it with ease and precision."

About Certicom
Certicom is a leading provider of mobile e-business security technology used to build strong, fast, and efficient security solutions. Major computing and communications companies, such as BellSouth Wireless Data, Hewlett-Packard, Motorola, Palm Computing, Inc., a 3Com Company, Pitney Bowes, QUALCOMM and VeriFone, incorporate Certicom's technology into electronic commerce software, wireless messaging applications, and smart cards. Certicom is a leading source for a complete range of OEM security products and services, including cryptographic toolkits, custom implementations, and security integration services and consulting. Certicom's worldwide sales and marketing operations are based in Hayward, California, with cryptographic research and product development in Toronto, Canada. Certicom shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "CIC." For more information, visit Certicom's Web site at http://www.certicom.com.