AuthenTec's EntrePad Fingerprint Sensors Provide Advanced Biometric Technology for Novell's Access and Security Solutions.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

MELBOURNE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2001

Integrated with SAFLINK's SAFmodule for Novell Modular

Authentication Service, AuthenTec's Patented TruePrint sub-surface

technology strengthens Novell's Access and Security solutions

AuthenTec Inc., the leader in advanced biometric fingerprint semiconductor products, today announced its partnership with Novell, Inc., a leader in eBusiness solutions and Net services software, which will enable organizations to effectively control access to their applications, databases, network resources and multiple platforms via fingerprint authentication.

AuthenTec's EntrePad(TM) fingerprint sensors will be integrated with SAFLINK Corporation's SAFmodule 2.1 for Novell(R) Modular Authentication Service (NMAS(TM)) to deliver an extremely reliable and secure fingerprint biometric-enabled solution, which becomes an important component of Novell's broader Access and Security solutions. Adding advanced authentication to these security solutions will enable any-size company to strengthen security, beyond just passwords, by requiring users to verify their identity via a fingerprint scan.

"As a semiconductor company, our focus is to provide the best fingerprint sensors available on the market," said Scott Moody, CEO of AuthenTec. "Novell and SAFLINK are premier application providers in the computing industry, and our technology will enable their software and systems applications to ensure that corporations have the most secure and lowest cost business security solutions possible."

The EntrePad AES4000 sensor is based on AuthenTec's TruePrint(TM) technology, a patented sub-surface technology that images below the surface layer of the skin to the live layer where the true print resides, thereby eliminating surface-level contamination issues. TruePrint's sub- surface technology works for everyone under the most demanding real-world conditions.

"As companies take internal business processes online, network security becomes paramount; and often that corporate data is too sensitive to guard with a simple password alone," said Richard Maddox, director of Novell's Access and Security solutions. "Novell's cooperation with SAFLINK and AuthenTec enables customers to enhance security through the use of fingerprint scans. These strong authentication methods are a key component of Novell's Access solutions and overall security framework, which enable organizations to effectively control access to their applications, databases, network resources and multiple platforms."

About AuthenTec:

AuthenTec is a leading semiconductor company providing advanced biometric fingerprint sensors to the PC, wireless, PDA, access control and automotive markets. AuthenTec's FingerLoc and EntrePad product families utilize the Company's patented TruePrint(TM) technology, the first technology capable of imaging everyone under virtually any condition. TruePrint images below the surface layer of the skin to the live layer where the true print resides, thereby eliminating surface-level contamination issues. AuthenTec's products are the choice of leading industry hardware and software providers, ensuring compatibility across multiple platforms and applications. Based in Melbourne, Florida, AuthenTec has assembled a global network of partners, solution providers and customers including Texas Instruments, Acer, Synaptics, Asus, Harris Corporation and SCM Microsystems.

For more information, visit http://www.authentec.com or call [phone].

EntrePad, TruePrint, and FingerLoc are trademarks of AuthenTec, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks referenced herein are properties of their respective owners.

About SAFLINK:

SAFLINK Corporation, based in Bellevue, Washington, brings "The Power of Biometric Authentication(TM)" solutions to workstations and enterprise networks through biometrics. The company provides cost-effective multi-biometric software solutions to verify individual identity, to protect business and personal information, and to replace passwords and PINs in order to safeguard and simplify access to electronic systems and enable new online services for customers. Further information is available through the company's web site at http://www.saflink.com.

NOTE: "The Power of Biometric Authentication" is a trademark of SAFLINK Corporation. All brands and products referenced herein are acknowledged to be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Novell is a registered trademark and NMAS is a trademark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries.