Authentify Appoints Technology Veteran Alex Sarelas as Vice President of Operations.

Business/High-Tech Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 18, 2000

Emerging Provider of Internet Authentication Technology

and Services Expands Executive Management Team

Authentify, Inc., an emerging provider of e-commerce security (e-security) software and services that confirm the identity of Web users, today announced the appointment of Alex Sarelas as Vice President of Operations. Mr. Sarelas has extensive experience in managing software development and computing operations, and was named one of "Chicago's 100 Most Influential Technology Stars" by Crain's Chicago Business. He brings more than 30 years of hardware engineering, technical management, and security experience to his role on Authentify's executive management team. Authentify will be demonstrating the company's forthcoming product, Authentify|Register(TM), at the Baltimore Technologies Global e|security 2000 Convention, booth No. 208.

"Alex has a stellar track record for building and managing the day-to-day operations of emerging technology companies, and brings world-class systems design and architecture experience to the Authentify management team," said Peter Tapling, president and CEO of Authentify. "His combination of engineering, operations, and general management expertise will play a critical role in establishing Authentify as an industry-leading provider of Internet security services."

Prior to joining Authentify, Mr. Sarelas provided consulting services for Internet and e-commerce startups, and also founded several successful start-ups including Webley Systems, Inc., a unified messaging/telecommunications services company which provides a "virtual personal assistant" product, and National Payment Clearinghouse (NPC). Under his direction, NPC and Microsoft developed the online services, Pay On-Line, Bank On-Line and Quotes On-Line, which are provided in Microsoft Money and Intuit's Quicken product. Intuit purchased NPC in 1994 and Mr. Sarelas became Intuit's Director of Technology. He has also helped produce and market the most widely accepted and recognized EFT system in the nation, Base24, and directed the development of Cash Station. Earlier in his career, Mr. Sarelas founded and was president of Systems Network Architects, Inc., a technical consulting firm that designed custom computer systems and networks for legal, financial, retail distribution, and manufacturing businesses.

"Providing a faster and more streamlined infrastructure for establishing and managing online user identities is the last major hurdle for enabling frictionless, real-time Internet commerce," said Mr. Sarelas. "Authentify has developed a very powerful and practical solution to this critical problem, which has the potential to reshape the Web registration process. I am excited about helping Authentify execute its vision and bring Authentify|Register to market."

About Authentify

Authentify, Inc. enables businesses and individuals to establish trusted online relationships--in real time. The company's first product, Authentify|Register(TM), quickly and reliably verifies a user's identity over the Internet. Authentify is privately held and based in Chicago, Illinois. Visit Authentify on the Web at http://www.authentify.com, or call 847-298-3638.

(c)1999-2000 Authentify, Inc. Authentify, the Authentify logo, and Authentify|Register are trademarks of Authentify, Inc. All other product names, service marks, and trademarks mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners.