Akonix Appoints Director of Channels and Alliances

San Diego, CA – December 6, 2006 – Akonix Systems, Inc., provider of the most deployed instant messaging (IM) security and compliance products in the world, has hired Chris Gardner as Director of Channels and Alliances.

Gardner is responsible for growing Akonix’s presence, business and success in the channel. Reporting to Kip Quackenbush, vice president of worldwide sales at Akonix, Gardner will focus on developing channel and partnership strategies to address the growing IM management and security industry.

Prior to joining Akonix, Gardner served as vice president of North American sales at Patchlink, where he was responsible for all corporate sales activities, both direct and channel. In this position, Gardner helped grow sales from less than $10 million in 2003 to over $35 million run rate in 2005. Originally hired as vice president of channel management, Gardner helped establish 40 partners in his first year and 120 partners in North America by 2006. He also rolled out the channel program to EMEA and APAC in 2005. This past year, Gardner was honored by VARBusiness Magazine as one of the industry’s up-and-coming channel leaders by being named to the ‘2006 Channel Executives to Watch’ exclusive online listing.

“As the leader in the IM security and management industry, Akonix recognizes the benefits of an innovative channel program. The CAPP is a great start and I look forward to further expanding the reach of Akonix in the channel community,” said Gardner. “It is an exciting time to be involved in the IM security and management market, bringing the benefits of the Akonix products to more companies through strong channel partner relationships.”

“Chris brings a very strong channel sales background into a high-energy, competitive industry and we look forward to his leadership to increase our success,” said Kip Quackenbush, vice president of worldwide sales at Akonix. “With more than 15 years of experience, and the last five specifically focused on the channel, we are confident that our 100% focus on channel sales will meet the needs of our partners and their customers in the IM security market.”

Earlier in his career, Gardner held positions as director of business development and director of North American sales at St. Bernard Software and various other sales management positions. Gardner holds an MBA in International Business from Georgetown University and a BS in Physics from Northeastern University.

About Akonix
Akonix is the most deployed IM security product in the world, enabling Global 1000 companies to deploy productive, enterprise-wide IM that is secure, compliant and managed.

Worldwide over one million people across hundreds of organizations in the Financial Services, Telecommunications, Energy, Technology, Healthcare and Entertainment industries use Akonix products. With more than 20 patent applications, Akonix’s 360° Security provides the industry’s only automatically-updated protection to block viruses and malware for both enterprise and public IM systems. Akonix has certified partnerships with all leading IM and presence providers including America Online®, Microsoft, Yahoo!, Reuters, IBM, Jabber, Inc., Parlano, Antepo and Bloomberg.

An IM industry first, the Akonix IM Security Center (http://www.imsecuritycenter.com) provides real-time information about worms, viruses and other vulnerabilities that target IM and P2P networks. The company issues monthly and quarterly IM threat watch reports to track key trends and vulnerabilities.

For further information on the company, please visit http://www.akonix.com.

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