Alternative Technology Leads HSPD-12 Convergence Team.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Alternative Technology, the leading specialty distributor of security products and thin client/server-based computing solutions, today publicly announced the formation of the HSPD-12/FIPS 201 Convergence Team, providing turnkey solutions for channel partners and government agencies. The Convergence Team has been working over the last four months to address interoperability and compliance issues surrounding the many components required to meet the HSPD-12 mandate. Today the Team is announcing the availability of off-the-shelf products and packaged solutions for channel partners and government agencies. Ongoing activities are underway with leading prime contractors and subcontractors that will be supported by Alternative Technology's GSA Schedule and its network of VARs and 8(a) resellers in the USA and Canada.

"This is a teaming of the industry's leading security, identity management, and smart card vendors, who have embraced Alternative Technology and the channel to deliver complete HSPD-12/FIPS 201 solutions to the systems integrators and government agencies," said John Stubbs, vice president, Alternative Technology. "We have assembled a stellar group of vendors, including a major smart card, applet, and card management vendor, who have the capability to deliver solutions across the entire spectrum of HSPD-12/FIPS 201 needs, including: PKI, middleware, identity management systems, biometrics and physical access. These companies have proven deployments throughout Federal, state, and local government organizations, with products and services that are tested for interoperability and certified to meet or exceed all HSPD-12/FIPS 201 specifications."

HSPD-12/FIPS 201 Convergence Team members and their HSPD-12 offerings include:

--Alternative Technology -- GSA Schedule Holder (GS-35F 0296R), Channel Management, Technical Services

--AEP Networks -- Public Key Infrastructure www.aepnetworks.com

--Novell: Identity management solutions www.novell.com

--Precise Biometrics, Inc. -- Biometric Solutions www.precisebiometrics.com

Channel partners and government agencies can purchase a complete HSPD-12 solution, or purchase products and services separately, with the flexibility to leverage existing infrastructure, build and enhance their capabilities as budgets and resources permit.

Alan Kraft, vice president of federal markets at Novell, said, "A robust identity management strategy provides a powerful foundation for complying with HSPD-12 requirements. A streamlined provisioning process based on clearly defined rules can enhance security as contractors and government employees are quickly granted or denied access based on individual needs. With Novell's extensive experience in identity management, we are pleased to be an integral part of the Convergence Team." Novell is a leading provider of security and identity management solutions. The Identity Assurance solution from Novell addresses HSPD-12 requirements. It is an open, standards-based identity and access management system that validates identities and authenticates users for privileged access to government IT resources and physical facilities. This comprehensive identity management solution automates the full life cycle of Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards and provides controlled access to disparate IT systems and physical facilities using a combination of smart cards, X.509 digital certificates, passwords, personal identification numbers, biometrics and other forms of advanced authentication.

"As part of the Team, AEP offers a mission-critical element in the architecture and deployment of the HSPD-12 solution -- the AEP Keyper hardware security module (HSM)," said Glenn Fitzgerald, Public Sector Sales, AEP Networks. "Keyper signs the private and public key transactions which, for example, allow a smart card to open a door. Keyper is the only FIPS 140-2 Level 4 HSM in existence. It signs for the Certificate Authority and Validation Authority and protects a root certificate from compromise." AEP Networks offers a comprehensive Policy Networking solution that provides complete security starting at the endpoints and working throughout a network -- from the edge to the core. AEP's integrated portfolio of security products includes network access control enforcement points, identity-based application security gateways, SSL VPNs, IPSec-based VPN encryptors, and hardware security modules for key management. The company's products address the most demanding security requirements of public-sector organizations and commercial enterprises worldwide.

Christer Bergman, president and CEO of Precise Biometrics, believes that "the positive identification utilizing biometrics is the security lynchpin for HSPD-12 and provides a strong platform for both physical access and computer network access control using the PIV card which far surpasses the existing PIN and password systems in place today. With the use of the Precise 250 MC -- a combination fingerprint and smart card reader -- an agency can easily incorporate card-based biometric authentication. Precise Biometrics is proud to be working with the caliber of partners within the HSPD-12 Convergence team membership." Precise Biometrics is an innovative security company that supplies world-leading systems for fingerprint and smart card-based authentication. The company's solutions replace keys, PIN codes and passwords and enhance the integrity of ID cards and passports. With its proprietary Precise Match-on-CardTM technology, the company is a market leader within smart ID cards. The product line includes systems for access control to buildings, computers and networks and for integration into ID cards and passports.

About Alternative Technology

Alternative Technology is the leading specialty distributor for Value Added Resellers who need products and services targeted at Thin-client/Server-based Computing, Edge Infrastructure, Security and Wireless markets. Driving the widespread adoption of leading edge technologies by bridging the gaps between products and services to solve critical business problems, Alternative identifies business issues that are key to our markets and offer multi-vendor solutions that drive demand back through our reseller partners. Alternative Technology, headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, has offices in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Carlsbad, California, and Mississauga, Canada. For more information, go to: www.AltTech.com, e-mail: [e-mail] or call toll-free: 800.544.7674 (USA), or 866.240.9991 (Canada).