SUNNYVALE, Calif. -— NetScreen Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: NSCN) today announced that it has hired Anson Chen as its vice president of research and development.

Anson Chen, a 12 year veteran of Cisco Systems, Inc. and its former vice president and general manager of the Network Management and Services Technology Group, will lead engineering, research and development efforts for NetScreen's entire product line, including its firewall, IPSec virtual private network (VPN) and intrusion detection and prevention technologies. Chen also will have functional management responsibility for NetScreen's secure access products.

Before joining NetScreen, Chen, a technology industry veteran with more than 17 years of networking systems product development experience, served various roles at Cisco where he led large-scale software development initiatives ranging from embedded systems, networking protocols, middleware services to network management applications. Additionally, while at Cisco, he led many technology integration and product convergence teams following Cisco acquisitions. Prior to Cisco, Chen served in various engineering roles at Convergent Technologies/Unisys and VISA.

"With Anson's strong networking and development background, excellent track record assimilating acquired technologies, and drive for innovation, we are confident that he will help NetScreen continue its history of developing industry-leading security solutions that seamlessly integrate into a variety of networking environments, enhance product performance and effectively integrate best-of-breed security capabilities," said Robert Thomas, president and CEO of NetScreen.

Effective immediately, NetScreen co-founder and vice president of engineering Feng Deng takes on the role of chief strategy officer. In his previous role, Deng successfully led NetScreen's research and development activities, helping to building its industry-leading network security products. In his new position, Deng will focus his efforts on corporate strategy to ensure that NetScreen attains its goal of becoming the world's leading network security company.

"Feng has a keen entrepreneurial spirit, incredible vision, technical expertise and business savvy, " said Thomas. "These qualities will contribute to his success and to that of NetScreen in his new role for the company."

NetScreen Technologies Inc.