CardTech/SecurTech Presents Larry Linden Award to Giesecke & Devrient and Siemens Business Services.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ORLANDO, Fla. & MUNICH, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 12, 2003

Giesecke & Devrient (G&D), a worldwide leading provider of smart cards and systems, and Siemens Business Services, an internationally leading IT service provider, were presented with the 2003 Larry Linden Award for Innovative Security Technology by CardTech/SecurTech (CTST) for the Macao Multifunction Smart ID Card.

The Larry Linden Award is given to an organization that implements an innovative, well-managed security technology. Criteria include a live program that is current and on going, superior project management, sensitivity to consumer/user needs, support of broad organizational goals, and a spirit of perseverance.

CardTech/SecurTech, now in its 13th year, is the leading advanced card, biometric and security technologies conference and exhibition. CTST is owned by Thomson Media, a division of The Thomson Corporation.

Leading e-government initiatives in Asia, the Macao Special Administrative Region in China contracted Siemens Business Services and G&D to implement a multifunction smart identification card, which is being distributed to its 460,000 residents over the next four years.

The smart card currently serves as Macao's new identity card and includes a biometric application and special security features within the card body and chipset. It is aimed that the smart card will ultimately serve as a multi-application card, combining the ID card, driving license, student card, medical card, and electronic wallet.

Siemens Business Services is responsible for project management, system integration, and delivery of the registration and issuance system.

Giesecke & Devrient is responsible for supplying the central components for a complete smart card issuance system, including the Java- and Global Platform-based multifunctional smart cards and personalization system, the key and card management system and the PKI including the certificate authorities.

"We are pleased to be receiving this Award in conjunction with Siemens Business Services. Our ID card will add a level of security and convenience to the activities of Macao residents, which we hope will launch future projects in other world regions," commented Dr. Matthias Merx, Executive Vice President of G&D's solution unit.

"The Award confirms our comprehensive competence in terms of technology and project management. The system and issuing of the identity card was implemented in record time - which is also a result of the excellent cooperation with the Macao Government. We believe that life will again be a little bit easier and safer in Macao from now on. We are very pleased to be receiving this prize together with G&D," commented Mr. Winfried Holz, head of Global Business Unit Solution Business at Siemens Business Services.

"Introducing the multifunction smart ID cards to Macao places us at the forefront of e-government initiatives in Asia and provides our citizens with a technologically advanced smart card that will be integral to their daily lives," said Mr. Isaac Ieng Kit Lai, Director, Identification Department, the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region. "This Award recognizes the collaborative efforts by G&D and Siemens Business Services to bring this idea to reality."

Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) is a technology leader in the supply of smart cards, systems and solutions for telecommunications, electronic payment transactions, transportation, health, ID, loyalty and multimedia applications as well as Internet security (PKI). G&D is also a leading provider of banknotes and securities as well as currency processing equipment.

The Giesecke & Devrient Group, headquartered in Munich, Germany, operates subsidiaries and joint ventures all over the world. G&D employs around 6,500 people worldwide and generates an annual revenue in excess of 1 Billion U.S. dollars. For more information, visit www.gdai.com.

Siemens Business Services is an internationally leading IT service provider. This Siemens Group offers services all along the IT service chain from a single source - from consulting to systems integration, right through to the management of IT infrastructures. Thanks to comprehensive know-how and sector-specific expertise, the company provides measurable added value for its customers.

With regard to outsourcing and IT maintenance, Siemens Business Services is among the top ten providers worldwide. Sales in fiscal year 2002 (ending 30 September 2002) came to around EUR 5.8 billion, 73 percent of which was achieved outside the Siemens organization. The company currently has approx. 33,600 employees worldwide. Further information at www.siemens.com/sbs.

Thomson Media (www.thomsonmedia.com), a division of The Thomson Corporation, is a leading provider of information, data and software tools for professionals in the financial services and related technologies markets.

Its primary products and businesses include: American Banker, Financial Planning, National Mortgage News, The Bond Buyer, Securities Industry News, The Global Banking Resource, National Regulatory Services, Payments & Risk Solutions Products, Credit Card Management, and Sheshunoff Information Services. More than 750,000 clients use Thomson Media's publications, databases and work solutions worldwide.

The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), with 2001 revenues of $7.2 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers.

Thomson provides value-added information, software applications and tools to more than 20 million users in the fields of law, tax, accounting, financial services, higher education, reference information, corporate training and assessment, scientific research and healthcare. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE:TOC; TSX:TOC).