Tokyo- February 18, 2008 – GMO Hosting & Security consolidated subsidiary and digital certificate services company GlobalSign, today opened a subsidiary in China. GMO Hosting & Security is a GMO Internet Group company.

According to China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), the number of Internet users in China more than doubled in 2007 and by the end of 2008 China will have the largest population of Internet users in the world. (*1) There has been particularly strong growth in online shopping services. In 2004 there were less than 4 million online store operators, today there are over 30 million. (*2)

As the world looks on, the Chinese market is rapidly advancing in anticipation of strong demand. Internationally expanding information security and digital certificate services company, GlobalSign has established a subsidiary in China because it believes in the importance of putting basic business infrastructure in place in the market. China is the fifth country that GlobalSign has launched operations in, following Belgium, England, Japan and the United States.

(*1) Source: The 21st Statistical Survey Report on the Internet Development in China, CNNIC, January 17, 2008
(*2) Source: 4th China Internet Software & Information Service Fair

Outline of GlobalSign China

GlobalSign
GlobalSign began providing digital authentication services to Belgium ten years ago when digital authentication companies were first beginning to appear. Customers include a number of Belgian government agencies and the GlobalSign Certificate Authority operates many prestigious government projects such as eID*(BELPIC). We are recognized as the Belgian Government Certificate Authority. GlobalSign became a member of the GMO Internet Group in 2006 and beginning in Japan is expanding sales of government-level security worldwide.
*eID: A citizen ID card. This is the first stage of the e-government project in Belgium. The ID card containing a digital certificate is distributed to all Belgian citizens over the age of 12.

Performance: (cumulative figures)
– Over 100,000 SSL Server Certificates issued
– Over1.4 million digital certificates (for web sites, IC Cards etc. including Digital IDs) issued
– Over 20 million certificates worldwide rely on the public trust provided by the GlobalSign root (including issues by subordinate CAs)
– We supply many major government agencies and major corporations

Profile
– The first certificate authority in Europe to obtain WebTrust accreditation
– CABF (CA/Browser Forum) member In Japan GlobalSign (formerly GeoTrust JAPAN) participates as a member of JCAF (Japan Certification Authority Forum)
– Anti-Phishing Working Group member

Media Inquiries
GMO Hosting & Security INC. Corporate Planning Department
E-mail: pr@gmo-hs.com
GMO Internet Inc. Group PR Team
E-mail: pr@gmo.jp

The GMO Internet Group
The GMO Internet Group is a leading force in the Internet industry offering one of the most comprehensive ranges of Internet services in Japan. We hold top domestic market shares in domain registration, web hosting and payment processing and we provide a host of other services including e-commerce solutions and Internet advertising to individual and corporate customers. Striving to redefine the industry and foster a vibrant Internet culture, the GMO Internet Group is continuously working to inspire enthusiasm in our customers and put smiles on their faces.

GlobalSign K.K.