VeriSign (VRSN)

Industry Veteran Brings 30 Years of Global Consumer and Telecommunications Expertise

Mountain View, CA – March 22, 2005 -VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure services for the Internet and telecommunications networks, today announced the appointment of Edward A. Mueller, Chief Executive Officer of Williams-Sonoma, to its Board of Directors. With more than 30 years of experience in global business development for both the telecommunications and retail industries, Mr. Mueller’s broad experience in sales, marketing, customer service and operations and extensive technical background will provide strategic depth to VeriSign’s Board of Directors.

“As VeriSign continues to expand its Intelligent Infrastructure portfolio, including the expansion of communications, commerce and content offerings for carriers, Edward Mueller’s extensive experience in the telecommunications and retail markets will be invaluable to our company,” said Stratton Sclavos, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, VeriSign, Inc.

“This is an exciting time for me to join VeriSign’s Board of Directors,” said Mr. Mueller. “As enterprises contend with the ever-increasing complexities of next-generation networks, VeriSign’s intelligent infrastructure services will enable them to provide value-added services for their customers.

Edward Mueller joined Williams–Sonoma, Inc. as Chief Executive Officer in January 2003. Mr. Mueller has served on the Williams–Sonoma, Inc. Board of Directors since 1999, and also served in various corporate governance roles on the board.

Prior to joining Williams-Sonoma, Mr. Mueller served as President and Chief Executive Officer of SBC Ameritech, a subsidiary of SBC Communications Inc., a telecommunications company with revenues in excess of $40 billion. Mr. Mueller joined the SBC organization in 1968, and held numerous executive level positions in the company, including President and Chief Executive Officer of Southwestern Bell Telephone, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Bell, and President of SBC International Operations.

Edward Mueller joins VeriSign’s Board of Directors as Kevin R. Compton, General Partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers departs from his position on the Board. Mr. Compton had served since February 1996.