Aladdin Knowledge Systems Joins the PKI Forum to Support Public-key Infrastrucuture.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

TEL AVIV, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 2000

Deployment of PKI Through eToken Will Promote Secure Corporate

Computing and Internet Ecommerce

Aladdin Knowledge Systems (Nasdaq:ALDN), a global leader in the field of Internet content and software security, today announced that it has joined the PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) Forum to promote the use of PKI for data security and e-commerce. Aladdin's full participation will also ensure its eToken authentication products will interoperate with PKI-based security systems worldwide. The PKI Forum is an industry-led consortium created to accelerate the adoption of the PKI and PKI-based solutions as the trusted foundation to ensure electronic business transactions will be secure. Aladdin's USB-based eToken will play a key role toward increasing the convenience of PKI security and authentication by enabling authorized individuals to conduct secure online transactions and access protected networks from virtually any PC with a USB port.

"We believe that it is very important for Internet security leaders like Aladdin Knowledge Systems to support and participate in industry wide consortium's like the PKI Forum," said Lisa Pretty, executive director for the PKI Forum. "Our organization will only be successful in achieving industry wide adoption of PKI standards with the help of companies like Aladdin who are enabling secure e-commerce on the Internet."

eToken is a portable authentication device that serves as the front-door key to the Internet. About the same size as a standard house key, eToken will work with virtually all PCs available today to securely store PKI-based digital certificates, making it possible to safely carry one's personal digital identity on a key chain. As private enterprises, corporate networks, subscription-based Web services and communities, and Web-based retailers adopt PKI standards to verify users' identity, individuals will be able to easily verify their identity though their PKI-based digital certificates. Through their eToken, executives, employees and consumers will then have simplified, secure access to their virtual world, without the need to remember multiple passwords.

"We are extremely pleased to join the PKI Forum to promote the benefits of PKI and USB tokens as a integral part of secure Internet commerce," said Joe Krull, vice-president eToken at Aladdin. "We plan to contribute Aladdin's expertise in Internet content security, authentication and development of USB tokens while forging valuable partnerships in the PKI industry. Through these efforts we are helping to enable secure online access and commerce for individuals and large organizations, literally changing the way we do business."

What is the Public-Key Infrastructure?

Public key technology and digital certificates have emerged as the preferred enablers of strong security for a wide range of e-business applications, including secure e-mail, secure Web access, virtual private networks and digital signatures. The most common functions of a PKI are issuing certificates, revoking certificates, creating and publishing Certificate Revocation Lists (CRLs), storing and retrieving certificates and CRLs, and policy enforcement. Enhanced or emerging PKI functions include time-stamping and policy-based certificate validation. To successfully deploy a PKI, organizations must develop a sound strategy, plan for interoperability, determine how e-business applications will interface with the PKI, and plan for technical staffing requirements that comply with the requirements established by the PKI specification.

About the PKI Forum

The PKI Forum is an international, not-for-profit, multi-vendor and end-user alliance whose purpose is to accelerate the adoption and use of Public-Key Infrastructure (PKI), PKI-based products and services. Baltimore Technologies, Entrust Technologies, IBM, Microsoft and RSA Security Inc. founded the forum in December 1999 and since that time have welcomed PKI vendors, application developers, system integrators and end users to participate in Forum activities. The PKI Forum advocates industry cooperation and market awareness to enable organizations to understand and exploit the value of PKI in their e-business applications. For more information about the PKI Forum, see the PKI Forum Web site at www.pkiforum.org.

About Aladdin

Aladdin (NASDAQ/NMS: ALDN) is a global leader in securing digital content, from applications software to Internet use and access. Aladdin's products include Privilege, a software licensing platform for the Internet; the award-winning eSafe line of anti-vandal, anti-virus and content filtering software for PCs and networks connected to the Internet; eToken for Internet security and authentication; and HASP and Hardlock, software security systems that protect the revenues of developers and publishers. Aladdin serves its customers through eight offices located in the world's major software markets as well as a network of 50 distributors serving more than 100 countries. For more information visit our website at www.ealaddin.com.

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