FREMONT, Calif. and LUND, Sweden, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – ActivCard(R) (EUROPE: ACTI) , the leader in IDentity Management (IDM) software for remote access, single sign-on and digital ID card solutions, today announced an expanded cooperation with its partner Precise Biometrics AB (publ), developer and provider of world-leading and user-friendly biometric security solutions based on fingerprints, to deliver smart card-based identification (ID) badge solutions with biometric authentication. ActivCard has incorporated Precise Biometrics’ technology for fingerprint matching on smart cards, Precise Match-on-Card(TM), to its ActivCard Gold(TM) 2.2 software, the most successful and widely deployed smart ID card middleware platform available on the market today.
The expanded partnership between ActivCard and Precise Biometrics will enable network users, integrators and service providers to benefit from a multi-factor authentication solution that includes a biometric credential. By leveraging Precise Match-on-Card capabilities to add fingerprint verification as an additional security factor, users strengthen the PIN-based authentication of their smart ID cards managed by ActivCard Gold 2.2 client software. By verifying the fingerprint directly on the card, the Precise Match-on-Card method guarantees that the reference biometric template (the user’s identity) never leaves the card, so it is not subject to theft. Also, this method guarantees the user’s privacy: the personal biometric template is under the control of the user at all times – stored on her smart card. The partnership includes the licensing of Precise BioMatch(TM) Pro and Precise BioMatch(TM) J software for integration into ActivCard Gold 2.2’s desktop client software, which was designed for enterprise businesses and U.S. Government civilian agency digital ID card programs.
“Combining smart cards and fingerprint biometrics at the middleware software level is a powerful and cost-effective security solution that virtually eliminates fraud because a thief needs to know your user ID and PIN number, needs a fingerprint matching the one stored on the card and must possess the device that is registered to the ActivCard Gold software,” said David Putnam, director of product marketing, ActivCard. “For users it’s a no- brainer; they’re already familiar with how to carry a plastic card in their wallet and now they can add laying down a fingerprint on a reader for an unbeatable way to protect themselves from identity theft.”
“We are pleased that ActivCard has chosen Precise Match-on-Card as its premier method of fingerprint biometric authentication for its market-leading smart card middleware, designed for non-DoD government agencies and the enterprise,” said Christer Bergman, president and CEO of Precise Biometrics. “The extended cooperation with ActivCard gives us the chance to, not only, pursue the growing number of opportunities within civilian government agencies and industry, but also to continue our ongoing sales within the U.S. Department of Defense, in order to become the leading supplier of fingerprint biometrics for smart ID cards.” ActivCard now has the industry’s first complete portfolio of biometric authentication technologies incorporated into its IDentity Management (IDM) software and digital identity card solutions portfolio. The portfolio now includes ActivCard Gold Match-on-Card in addition to Trinity(TM) Secure Single Sign-On Solution Match-on-Server; Trinity Match- on-PC; and the industry’s first and only FIPS-validated Match-on-Card smart card applet. This complete portfolio provides a competitive advantage in the marketplace because security administrators have been seeking flexibility in the choice of where to deploy biometric matching capabilities – at the card, at the server, or on the PC – so they can most easily integrate the technology within their existing identity management and security platforms.
Smart ID cards combined with biometric authentication are the preferred technology platform for new ID badge programs being evaluated by the Department of Homeland Security and other U.S. government agencies, according to the e-Authentication initiative advocated by the President’s National Advisor for Cyber Security Richard Clarke in his draft National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace, dated September 18, 2002. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration, for example, is – like many government agencies, financial institutions and corporations – holding evaluation trials on combinations of biometric and smart card access technologies, in order to more securely verify that transportation workers and travelers are who they say they are.
About ActivCard
ActivCard, http:/ /www.activcard.com/, is the leader in IDentity Management (IDM) software for remote access, single sign-on and digital ID card solutions. Our scalable IDM and strong authentication solutions are trusted by organizations - from enterprise to governments around the world. ActivCard IDM systems deliver maximum Return On Identity(TM) (ROI) through increased security, reduced cost, and user convenience. The modular product design allows our customers to add capabilities as required, preserving their investment.
The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with fluctuations in operating results, our history of losses, the concentration of our customer base, our reliance on strategic relationships, acquisitions and managing the Company’s future growth, and other risks identified in the Company’s periodic filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to those appearing under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially.
NOTE: ActivCard is a registered trademark and ActivCard Gold, Trinity, and Return on Identity are trademarks of ActivCard in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners in the United States and/or other countries.
About Precise Biometrics
Precise Biometrics is an innovative security company that supplies world-leading systems for authentication using fingerprints. The solutions supplied by the company replace keys, PIN codes and passwords. The company’s products are cost effective and provide security and comfort combined with top-class protection of personal integrity. The range of products includes systems for access control to computers and networks and for building into mobile and terminals, such as mobile phones and portable computers. The company headquarters are in Lund, Sweden. The company also has offices in Stockholm and a U.S. subsidiary in Washington, D.C. Precise Biometrics is listed on the O-list of the Stockholm Stock Exchange (symbol: PREC A). For additional information, visit http:/ /www.precisebiometrics.com/
MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here http:/ /tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X80551760 ActivCard
CONTACT: Megan O’Reilly-Lewis of ActivCard, Inc., +1-510-574-1789, or mlewis@activcard.com, or Christina Zinck of ActivCard Europe, Suresnes, France, +33 (1) 42 04 84 00, or christina.zinck@activcard.fr; or Christer Bergman, +1-703-405-8255, or christer.bergman@precisebiometrics.com, Gunilla Savring, +46 46 31 11 14, or gunilla.savring@precisebiometrics.com, both of Precise Biometrics AB
Web site: http:/ /www.precisebiometrics.com/
Web site: http:/ /www.activcard.com/
Liverpool Football Club joins smart Football Club Set
- 50,000 Liverpool Football Club Members have been issued with contactless smart cards that will replace traditional paper tickets and season ticket books enabling quicker and easier stadium access.
Inside Contactless announces that its partner, Fortress GB fully integrated multi-application smart card solution enabling clubs to better control stadium access, together with e-purse, loyalty and various other applications all designed to enhance the Club-Supporter connection.
The new system, installed at Anfield Stadium, uses Fortress’ secure smart card application and Inside Contactless’ technology [PicoPass [tm] ] to electronically store the cardholder records onto what looks like a normal credit card. This season, the system has been “rolled out” on a pilot basis to get the Club and Fans comfortable using the new technology. Each Liverpool Football Club Fan Card contains details of the cardholders’ seat entitlement with ID information.
LFC wanted to ensure that their Fan Card would work as a means of identifying supporters when purchasing tickets for Premier League, Domestic and European Cup games. Integrating the new technology into the Club’s ticketing software meant this aim was achieved and the Ticket Office now relies on the Fan Card as a means by which supporters can buy tickets for these games.
Eventually Fan Card Holders will be able to enter the stadium without first needing to visit the Ticket Office to collect their ticket. The system will recognise the Fan Card holder as someone who has purchased a match ticket and allow access into the stadium.
The Fan Card is multifunctional, and as well as being able to control access to the stadium it also contains e-purse and loyalty applications that LFC can integrate into packages that season ticket holders receive in the coming seasons.
Key technical features of PicoPass are:
- 16Kbits of memory available for applications demanding quite a large memory capacity.
- Capability to operate at proximity [10 cm] distance at up to 424 Kbits/s speed using ISO 14443B standard for very fast access time and at vicinity [exceeding 1m distance] distance at 26 Kbits/s speed using ISO 15693 standard.
- Automatic detection of the communication standard enabling mixing of both communication modes within the same application.
- Flexible and configurable file structure with mapping of 8 independent 2K-bit pages or a single 16K bit page with personalisation capabilities.
- About Inside Contactless:
Inside Contactless is a pioneering semiconductor company 100% focused on the development of contactless products and markets. The company is a leading supplier of contactless chips and readers, offering a range of solutions for emerging markets like transport, access control, payment, identity, and electronic identification. Inside Contactless acts as a one-stop shop for its customers by providing a complete contactless technology platform. Headquartered in Aix-en-Provence, France, and with offices in Shanghai, China and Greenville [Delaware, USA], Inside Contactless works with a worldwide customer base including system integrators, VARs and application developers. For more information, visit the company’s web site at http://www.insidecontactless.com/.
- About FortressGB:
Fortress GB is a UK based developer and provider of cutting edge, versatile, multi-application smart card solutions. The company’s expertise in cryptography and high secure crypto smart cards positions it perfectly to deal with projects requiring high level, multi-function access control systems. The company is providing the hardware and software for the project.Inside Contactless CONTACT:
Please contact: Geraldine Sauniere, Inside Contactless, Tel: +33 4 42 39 63 00, E-mail: gsauniere@insidefr.com, http://www.insidecontactless.com/, James Rosenthal, Fortress GB Limited, T: =44 [0] 207 637 7876, E: james@fortressgb.com, http://www.fortressgb.com/
Product Deployments Grow More Than 400 Percent
Cubic Corp. (AMEX:CUB) today reported record high sales and earnings for fiscal 2002. Earnings for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2002 were up 41 percent, and sales for the year were up 12 percent from last year.
Operating profits (before tax, employee profit sharing and bonus payments) for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2002 were $54,098,000, compared to $44,752,000 for fiscal 2001.
Earnings (after tax, employee profit sharing and bonus payments) for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2002 were $29,437,000 or $1.10 per share ($3.30 before a 3-for-1 stock split), compared to $20,842,000 or 78 cents per share ($2.34 pre-split) for fiscal 2001. Sales for 2002 were $559,604,000, compared to $501,679,000 for fiscal 2001. Fourth quarter 2002 earnings were up 73 percent, and sales for the period were up 14 percent from last year. Fourth quarter earnings were$10,177,000 or 38 cents per share ($1.14 pre-split), compared to$5,884,000 or 22 cents per share (66 cents pre-split) for 2001. Sales for the quarter were $149,026,000, compared to $131,230,000 for the same period last year.
Operating profits increased in both of Cubic’s major segments, most significantly in the defense segment. In addition, a change in accounting rules for Goodwill added $1,715,000 after taxes, or 6 cents per share for the year, and a non-recurring fourth quarter tax benefit added $2,460,000 or 9 cents per share.
The company expects that sales and operating income will continue to grow next year. New contract bookings are expected to increase substantially in fiscal 2003, which should result in continued growth in fiscal 2004.
Total backlog, including unfunded contracted orders, at Sept. 30, 2002 was $1,165,000,000 compared to $1,095,000,000 at Sept. 30, 2001. Cubic’s funded backlog at the end of fiscal 2002 was $777,000,000, compared to $738,000,000 at the end of last year.
“There is a high demand for our defense and transportation products and services,” said Cubic President and CEO Walter J. Zable. “We are determined to win new and repeat business, and focused on earning customer trust and loyalty.”
Defense Segment – 2002 Performance
Defense sales increased 11 percent – to $314 million in fiscal 2002 from $282 million in fiscal 2001. Much of the growth came from a 22 percent increase in the segment’s battlefield simulation and operation and maintenance businesses. In addition, the segment had strong sales of both ground and air combat training systems.
Operating profits for Defense more than doubled to $17.9 million from $7.6 million in fiscal 2001. The most significant improvement came from the company’s ground and air combat training systems. The company’s products and services are expected to generate significant new orders from a variety of military and government customers in the U.S. and internationally.
Transportation Systems – 2002 Performance
Transportation sales increased 13 percent to $231 million in fiscal 2002 from $205 million last year. The segment’s North American market generated significant new business, and the European market, specifically the United Kingdom, remained strong. The company continued its good progress on the London Prestige contract, meeting its major milestones. Nearly all equipment is installed, and the system functions well. The company is pursuing additional opportunities in both North America and continental Europe.
Operating profits for the transportation segment increased by 8 percent to $23.3 million for 2002, compared to $21.6 million in 2001. The increase came despite severance costs from closing an outdated U.K. facility and legal costs from a dispute of an Australian contract tender.
Homeland Security
In addition to growing its core businesses, the company has been successful – with minimal investment – in marketing its products and services to government agencies looking to answer the need for Homeland Security resources. Cubic’s competitive position in its core businesses remains strong, as reflected in record high sales and earnings. At the same time, technologies from Defense and Transportation – from smart card access control technology to communications products to senior-level doctrine development and consulting – apply to the government’s critical mission areas for homeland defense and security. The company has won small, but strategically significant contracts in domestic counterterrorism and data mining, and is positioning itself with potential teammates on future business in a wide range of homeland defense and security areas.
The Cubic Defense Applications Group produces instrumented air and ground combat training systems, battle command training studies and analysis, simulations, and simulation support for U.S. and allied military forces. The Group also produces high technology avionics, data links and communications products for government and commercial customers, and provides a wide range of technical and logistics services. The corporation’s other major segment, Cubic Transportation Systems, designs and manufactures automatic fare collection systems – including the most advanced smart card system – for public mass transit authorities worldwide.
In addition to historical matters, this release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve predictions of future results. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which may affect the company’s business and prospects. These include the effects of politics on negotiations and business dealings with government entities, economic conditions in the various countries in which the company does or hopes to do business, competition and technology changes in the defense and transit industries, and other competitive and technological factors.
CUBIC CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Years Ended September 30,
2002 2001 2000
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NTRU’s William Whyte, Nicholas Howgrave-Graham and Daniel Lieman to Discuss Mathematical and Practical Considerations in Cryptography
NTRU, the only provider of strong security that fits everywhere, today announced that William Whyte, director of cryptographic research and development at NTRU, Nicholas Howgrave-Graham, senior cryptographer at NTRU and Daniel Lieman, NTRU co-founder and director of applications will speak at the American Mathematical Society’s 2003 Joint Mathematics Meetings. During the “Short Course on Public-Key Security,” organized by Lieman, they will discuss basic cryptographic techniques, how they are applied today, as well as the goals of current research. The course will be held in Baltimore, Maryland from January 13-14, 2003. NTRU cryptography provides user authentication and data encryption in highly constrained environments such as contactless smart cards and RFID devices. “With the lack of cost-effective, practical security techniques available for identification and payment tokens, cryptographic innovation is more important than ever,” said Lieman. “This course will help promote research and achievements that will ultimately enable consumers and enterprises alike to apply encryption to practical purposes.”
The Joint Mathematics Meetings aim is to advance mathematical achievement, encourage research and provide a communication forum conducive to field study and progress. During the two-day course in Baltimore, Whyte will describe implementation issues and security considerations for public-key cryptosystems based on the standard discrete logarithm problem. Howgrave-Graham will highlight current research in cryptography, including the challenge of constructing secure public-key cryptosystems. Lieman’s talk will survey the state-of-the-art construction of secure systems from public-key and symmetric-key cryptographic primitives. Other speakers will include academic researchers in mathematics and cryptography from the United States and Australia.
– What: “AMS Short Course on Public Key Cryptography”
– Where: American Mathematical Society’s Joint Mathematics Meetings;
Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland
– When: January 13-14, 2003
– Who: William Whyte, Director of Cryptographic R & D, NTRU
Nicholas Howgrave-Graham, Senior Cryptographer, NTRU
Daniel Lieman, Co-founder, Director of Applications, NTRU
Prior to joining NTRU, Whyte was senior cryptographer with Baltimore Technologies in Dublin, Ireland. He holds a B. A. from Trinity College, Dublin, and a D.Phil. from Oxford University.
Howgrave-Graham is a senior cryptographer at NTRU. He has published many papers on cryptography, including fundamental work on the security requirements for random number generators in the Digital Signature Algorithm. Before coming to NTRU, Howgrave-Graham worked for two years at the IBM, Yorktown Heights Research Lab in New York. He holds a B.A. from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and a Ph.D. from the University of Bath.
Lieman co-invented certain NTRU technology and represents NTRU on a number of standards bodies. He has more than 20 years of experience in systems development and R&D. Lieman holds a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. from Brown University.
About NTRU
NTRU is the only provider of strong security that fits everywhere. Based on the most fundamental innovation in cryptography in more than 20 years, NTRU eliminates historic price, performance and usability tradeoffs in security. NTRU delivers strong, fast security that operates with minimal power consumption and fits into a tiny footprint, making it easy for customers to build devices that people trust. NTRU security is gaining widespread adoption in the contactless, radio frequency identification (RFID), mobile communications, multimedia and embedded markets. Headquartered in Burlington, Mass., NTRU is backed by Texas Instruments, Sony Corporation, Macrovision, Lehman Brothers Venture Capital, Investor AB, Granite Ventures, Greylock and 3i. For more information, visit www.ntru.com.
NEW YORK, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ – International Biometric Group announces
the ninth installment of its Biometric Business and Technology Teleconferenceseries. This month’s topic will be “Biometrics and Smart Cards.” TheTeleconference will provide an overview of smart card technology and howbiometrics are being integrated with smart cards to create robust securitysolutions. The conference will look at markets, technology, and emergingstandards, as well as profile some existing deployments and currentinitiatives that are underway.
The call will take place on Thursday, December 12 at 1:00 pm (ET); 10:00
am (PT). The speaker for this event is Kush Wadhwa, Senior Consultant,International Biometric Group.
The IBG Biometric Business and Technology Teleconference series isdesigned to address the increasingly broad audiences interested in biometrics, including investors, developers and the media. Toward that end, the IBG Biometric Business and Technology Teleconference series provides timely information and insight on the current state of biometrics and the biometric industry.
To join the call, dial: (U.S. and Canada) 800-231-5571 or (calls outsideof U.S.) 973-935-8507. The call is free-of-charge and we recommend that you
dial into the conference 5-10 minutes prior to the start time.
About International Biometric GroupInternational Biometric Group is the leading biometric integration andconsulting firm, addressing the identification and authentication needs ofmid- to large-size organizations. IBG works on behalf of both private andgovernment clients to evaluate, design, and integrate biometric solutions forInternet applications, public sector programs, network security, point of sale applications, physical access and time and attendance systems. Learn more at http://www.biometricgroup.com.
CONTACT:Michelle FrenchInternational Biometric GroupPH: 212-809-9491http://www.biometricgroup.commfrench@biometricgroup.com
It has taken time but a worldwide focus on both physical security (protecting buildings and facilities) and logical security (protecting data and networks) is hastening the development and deployment of radio frequency identification (RFID). No longer simply a tool for inventory control, mass scale utilization of RFID for fare collection, identity verification, payment and other mission-critical applications is becoming mainstream.
