Genpass Technologies' Transaction Processing Architecture Holds Strong against Virus Attacks and ATM Shutdowns.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2003

Following a worldwide attack by the "slammer" virus, Genpass Technologies announced on Wednesday that it has sent a letter to its customers stressing the security of its new technology architecture and detailing why this platform can protect organizations from such an attack.

Referring to industry and news publications such as the ATM & Debit Card News (ADCN) article published on Jan. 30, 2003 and the Dallas Morning News article published Jan. 31, 2003, the Genpass letter informs customers that there were widespread ATM outages on January 24 and 25. These were caused by a computer virus that infiltrated ATM systems relying on Microsoft Corp.

SQL Server 2000 servers. Affected by the virus, according to ADCN, were Bank of America's over 13,000 ATMs as well as those operated by Canadian Imperial Bank. It has also been widely reported that Electronic Data Systems (EDS) experienced system disruptions.

Tom McHugh, Chief Operating Officer of Genpass, explains why these networks were affected and not the Genpass network: "Genpass has implemented a state-of-the-art architecture that is based on the newest Compaq/Tandem fault tolerant and Compaq server-based technology. The systems are designed specifically to secure Internet and other 'remote' (ATM, POS, etc.) financial transactions. The systems incorporate many new features to ensure the security of its 'closed' processing architecture. (Many systems that are solely server-based are referred to as 'open systems.')"

McHugh continues, "Networks which allow non-financial transactions to be performed on the same system platforms as financial ones are wide open to such an attack. Non-financial transactions may include information gathering, via the Internet, for marketing follow-up or for routine enrollments or customer requests such as statements or downloads. 'Closed' systems, those protected by built-in firewalls and encryption, are, generally, safe from such attacks."

Bipin Shah, President and Chief Executive Officer of Genpass Inc. - the parent of Genpass Technologies - is the author of the Genpass customer letter and had this to say about the major disruption of service the virus caused elsewhere: "We are very sympathetic with those who had to deal with this problem across the country. In fact, we have been warning those who would listen, that organizations that have migrated to these less expensive, client server systems are risking these attacks because of the lower level security these systems provide. This recent problem shows that Genpass' management experience paid off when we decided to invest more upfront capital last year to install the best system that money could buy."

Shah added that should such an emergency occur again, Genpass is willing to provide "stand-in" processing for these financial institutions and their customers until their network services are restored. For information on this, please contact Genpass at 800/472-7180.

About GTCR Golder Rauner, LLC, and Genpass Inc.

GTCR Golder Rauner, LLC, a leading private equity investment firm, owns and operates Genpass Inc., the parent company of Genpass Technologies, LLC, and its subsidiaries. GTCR currently manages more than $4 billion in equity capital invested in companies providing transaction processing, information technology services, financial services and marketing services.

Genpass Inc., with headquarters in Pennsylvania, owns the MoneyMaker(SM) and MONEY BELT(R) EFT networks through its Irving, Texas-based subsidiary Genpass Technologies. Genpass Technologies is listed in ATM and Debit Card News (July 25, 2003) as the second largest third party ATM driver in the U.S. and in The EFT Data Book (2003 edition) as one of the largest transaction processors in the U.S., driving approximately 24,000 ATMs spanning the country.

Genpass processes over 360 million transactions annually. The company also operates Genpass ATM Solutions -- providing a strategic solution to ATM-owning and placement -- and Genpass Card Solutions, offering specialized card services such as payroll and medical benefits card programs. Genpass Service Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Genpass Technologies, LLC, is the largest independent ATM servicing company in the U.S.