AuthenTec and BioNetrix Enter Into Marketing Partnership; Alliance Promotes Enterprise-wide Use of Advanced Biometric Security Solutions.

Business/Technology Editors

MELBOURNE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 14, 2000

AuthenTec, Inc., provider of the patented FingerLoc(TM) personal identification system, today announced it has formed a marketing partnership with BioNetrix Systems Corporation(TM), the leader in direct personal assurance products and services. The alliance will further expand the deployment of advanced fingerprint-based authentication systems in enterprise networks.

Leveraging both companies' strengths in authentication technology, BioNetrix and AuthenTec will market each other's products and services, as well as refer potential customers and prospects. As a result of the alliance, the BioNetrix Authentication Suite(TM), an open platform that deploys and manages authentication solutions throughout an enterprise and over the Internet, is fully interoperable with AuthenTec's FingerLoc. The integrated products provide enterprise users with the convenience of complete, reliable biometric solutions at the most reasonable prices.

"I am confident this strategic partnership with AuthenTec will be of great value to our customers," said Trevor Walker, acting vice president of marketing for BioNetrix. "Enhancing the BioNetrix Authentication Suite with AuthenTec's FingerLoc will enable rapid deployment of reliable authentication solutions into enterprise security systems, allowing managers to deploy convenient and dependable biometric security solutions throughout their organizations. The agreement standardizes pricing and terms to streamline design and purchasing procedures, helping us achieve faster design-in, seamless system integration and easier implementation."

The BioNetrix Authentication Suite delivers enhanced security and significant cost savings by providing a standard, open platform that allows IT professionals to manage both existing and future authentication systems. The suite supports multiple applications, scales to any number of users and provides flexible role-based policies that are easy to use and administer. AuthenTec's FingerLoc incorporates the company's patented TruePrint(TM) technology, the only fingerprint technology that reads below the surface layer of the skin to the live layer, where the true fingerprint resides. Surface conditions, such as dry, worn, callused, oily or dirty skin, do not affect the ability to acquire accurate fingerprint images. The combination of BioNetrix's scalable authentication suite and AuthenTec's highly accurate FingerLoc provides a cost-effective, reliable biometric security solution for enterprise users.

"This agreement will make it easier for OEMs and VARs to provide a complete biometric authentication solution," said Steve Mansfield, vice president of marketing at AuthenTec, Inc. "Instead of engaging in separate negotiations, which can slow down the sales cycle, hardware vendors whose products are compatible with our reference designs will have software to ship as soon as they are ready to ship the hardware."

About BioNetrix

BioNetrix is the only security innovator to provide direct personal assurance, conclusively verifying the identity of an end user. The BioNetrix Authentication Suite reduces costs and increases security in all computing environments through the deployment of authentication technologies - from passwords, tokens and smart cards to biometrics. Recent industry accolades for the BioNetrix product suite include Network Computing's "Well-Connected" and "Editor's Choice," awards and Network World's "World Class" award. BioNetrix delivers the environment that organizations need to provide the security backbone necessary for trusted and secure e-business. Privately held, BioNetrix is headquartered in Vienna, Va., and is accessible via the Web at http://www.biometrix.com.

About AuthenTec

AuthenTec, Inc. is the only provider of fingerprint identification solutions with the ability to acquire everyone. Using patented TruePrint(TM) technology and through key alliances with members of its Solution Provider Network, AuthenTec delivers convenient authentication and identification solutions for real-world applications in the PC, e-commerce, access control and wireless industries. Privately held, AuthenTec is headquartered in Melbourne, FL. For more information, please visit http://www.authentec.com.

FingerLoc and TruePrint are trademarks of AuthenTec, Inc. BioNetrix Systems Corporation, BioNetrix and the BioNetrix Authentication Suite are trademarks of BioNetrix Systems Corporation.