LUXOFT and Security First Corp. Announce Partnership in Center of Biometric Excellence.

Business/Technology Editors

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30, 2002

LUXOFT, a leading Russian software development company, and Security First Corp (SFC)., the leading provider of biometric security solutions, products and services, today announced their partnership in advancing the knowledge and technology in biometric software development and integration. The two companies will work together as part of the Center of Biometric Excellence, to be set up by SFC, in partnership with the state of West Virginia. The Center's primary activity will be to popularize and develop biometric technologies and solutions.

With the increased focus on security, biometric technologies emerge as one of the most progressive and efficient instruments for individual identification and verification. As of today, a great number of biometric technologies exist with new research completed, which all need further development for commercialization to be taken to the market place. Each technology, be it dactylogram (fingerprint recognition), hand geometry, affordable ultrasonic finger detection, pulse detection, iris scan, true 3D facial recognition or typing speed, has its own area of application. But to provide multifunctional and effective means of security protection, they need to be put together and integrated into complex information systems. The newly developed Center will serve as the meeting point for various biometric technology manufacturers, developing multi-module solutions and providing a means for technological integration into complex information systems. The Center will also focus on educating the public on how biometrics can be employed within a security strategy and trends in the market, specifically focused on federal and military organizations as well as commercial enterprises with a high security need.

Under the agreement, LUXOFT will develop software for applications built on the basis of biometric technologies and solutions. The company is going to be the primary software provider for the Center and will work with a broad reach of biometric-based technologies, including face and fingerprint recognition, distributed databases, and instruments for security protection on portable and corporate computers. Additionally LUXOFT will work to incorporate highly skilled Russian scientists and biometric solutions provider to the Center. LUXOFT brings its Level 4 Capability Maturity Model(R) (CMM) certification skills, which are seen as a big winner for SFC who will in turn be able to deliver this level of high quality software products and solutions to its customers and partners. Biometrics software applications produced by the Center will be offered to the market, concentrating on federal and military organizations and commercial companies for which security protection is crucial.

"Russia, like no other nation, understands the horrors of terrorists attacks, which are now becoming the global threat rather than local concern. And this puts security protection technologies at the forefront of IT products manufacturers' agendas. With globalization of terrorism, it is evident that to provide efficient security protection tools, software manufacturers and technology providers should join efforts, and we see the Center as the leader for the most advanced developments in security protection, particularly in biometrics. We think biometric technologies have a bright future and a great number of applications are still to be found and explored. For LUXOFT, this partnership is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the development and popularization of biometry and to further expand our biometric expertise," said Dmitry Loschinin, CEO of LUXOFT.

"Nowadays security emerges as one of the most acute problems that mankind faces and it is a priority for state authorities to support the development of security protection technologies. Every day thousands of identities are stolen and or improperly used, and cyberspace crime is at an all time high. Yesterday's security solutions are not adequate to support today's requirements when faced with today's threat and risk realities. What is needed is new solutions integrating multiple technologies to create a safe and trusted environment in which to live, work and play. A Center whereby a variety of up-to-date technologies can be put together for the purpose of developing trusted security solutions to meet today's threat and risk environments is key. The Center of Biometric Excellence is going to be such a place. We are interested in attracting the brightest representatives of security means providers from various parts of the industry and government's worldwide. Russia has always been known as one of the leaders in this area, a factor that adds additional benefits to our cooperation agreement with LUXOFT, Russia's prominent software developer," commented Mark O'Hare, Security First Corp. founder, president & CEO.

LUXOFT

LUXOFT (www.luxoft.com) is a member of the leading Russian IT group IBS, which employs over 2,000 specialists. LUXOFT was founded as a separate entity in April 2000. Today, LUXOFT takes part in the most complicated projects for the leading Fortune 500 companies, among which are the Boeing Company, IBM, BMC Software, Citibank, Dell, Zurich Insurance and others, utilizing its broad experience and huge potential of Russian professionals. LUXOFT is targeting its services to the leading international companies, moving closer to its clients by opening local support and development offices in the United States and Europe. LUXOFT is one of the first Russian SW development companies assessed at Level 4 of the Capability Maturity Model(R) (CMM).

Security First Corp.

Security First Corp., ("SFC") is a leading provider of fingerprint sensor identification technology, applications, data management and software support (the "SFC Technology") for governmental agencies as well as various commercial markets; including the physical access control, information technology, healthcare, and financial industries, around the globe. They have strategic partnerships bringing other biometric and smart card technologies together to develop total biometric security solutions. Some of SFC partners include, Philips, the state of West Virginia USA, Texas Instruments, NEC, Pinpoint Solutions, 3D Biometrics, Tangent Solutions, Bio Key, Nuerodynamics as well as Centerprise of the UK, Boomlink of China, Leaps of Korea, Asian Electronics of India as well as many key system integrators currently under partnership review.