Proton World Teams With Keyware Technologies; World's Most Widely Used E-purse Technology Linked to Keyware's Biometric Technology.

Business/Technology Editors

Smart Card 2000

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--February 8, 2000

Demonstration of Biometric Cardholder Verification at Smart Card

2000 in London

Keyware Technologies, the world's leading provider of biometric identification solutions and Proton World, the industry leader in the development of multi-application smart card solutions, announced today that Proton-based smart cards can now be equipped with Keyware's biometric technology, allowing users to store bio prints such as fingerprints, face, voice, etc. on their cards. Proton-based smart cards equipped with Keyware's LBV Layered Biometric Verification (R) will be demonstrated at the Smart Card 2000 trade show in London, February 8 - 10, at Proton World's booth 166-168 (first floor) and Keyware's booth G178. This demonstration marks the entry of Proton World into the domain of biometrics.

Until recently, smart card systems relied on what a cardholder had (a card) and/or what he/she knew (password or PIN) to identify him/herself. Now, biometrics can offer several identification techniques based on unique features of the individual cardholder - who he/she is. Fingerprints, voice verification, face recognition, iris recognition and hand geometry are examples of biometrics. These features are unique to a person and cannot be duplicated by an impostor, as can PINs and passwords. For smart card applications such as security access, home banking and e-commerce, where fraud constitutes a significant problem, biometric technology can be used in combination with a card and/or a PIN for more security.

The biometric cardholder verification method provides a Proton-based smart card solution where the authentication of the cardholder is performed using Keyware's LBV technology. The demonstration will use a Proton card in a Banksys C-ZAM/SMASH terminal attached to an Internet PC. The card will have the cardholder's bio prints stored in its chip and, once verified, the cardholder will have access to a PC application. Bio prints can either be stored in the chip's memory or as a part of an application applet on a Java Card(TM). An authentication applet enables the security functions required for financial transactions.

&uot;Despite the fact that the security of Proton cards is recognised as second-to-none, we are always striving to offer our licensees even higher security,&uot; said Armand Linkens, managing director of Proton World. &uot;I am excited by this development with our partner Keyware Technologies, whose expertise in the field of biometrics will ensure that Proton retains its position at the forefront of smart card technology.&uot;

&uot;Keyware is excited to partner with Proton World to develop the first biometric cardholder verification method using Proton technology,&uot; said Francis Declercq, president and CEO of Keyware Technologies. &uot;The development of this secure solution based on biometric technologies, Java cards and Proton's PKI, responds to the need for both security and convenience for millions of users. Keyware's LBV will allow people to store their bio prints on their own smart card, secure their transactions and eliminate the chances of an impostor gaining access to their e-purse. Proton's support of our LBV open development platform brings us again one step closer to it becoming a de facto standard for biometrics on smart cards.&uot;

About Proton World

Proton World was created by major smart card players (American Express, Banksys, ERG, Interpay and Visa International) to give a boost to common smart card and electronic purses standards. Proton World is a high-technology company, which delivers global smart card solutions world-wide. It continues the development and licensing of Proton smart card applications, which have already been chosen by 19 countries. The Proton technology is the most broadly implemented in national roll-outs and is the most actively used world-wide: the Proton-based smart card schemes have together performed more than 137 million e-purse transactions since they have been introduced. It also has the largest acceptance base, with more than 272,500 terminals installed world-wide.

Multiple applications are available today on the Proton platform (for example electronic commerce, access controls, loyalty schemes, calling cards, university campus cards etc.). Proton World supports a variety of technologies and specifications to deliver open, interoperable and global smart card solutions. It is implementing the Common Electronic Purse Specifications (CEPS) to ensure interoperability of electronic purse schemes worldwide. For more information, please visit our web site at www.protonworld.com or contact Ms. Dominique Hautain, Executive Vice-President, Strategy, Marketing &Communication, Proton World International SA/NV, 10 rue du Planeur / Zweefvliegtuigstraat 10 B-1130 BRUSSELS, BELGIUM Telephone + 32 2 724 5111 Fax + 32 2 724 5060 e-mail [e-mail].

About Keyware Technologies

Founded in 1996, Keyware Technologies is a pioneer in the field of biometrics, the science of verifying an individual's identity by means of personal characteristics such as voice, face and fingerprints. Co-headquartered in Belgium and Woburn, Mass., Keyware is the world's leading provider of intelligent biometric solutions for real world business applications. The solutions optimise security and convenience for physical locations, e-commerce, network and telecommunications applications. Keyware's award-winning technology is sold globally through an extended network of OEMs, system integrators and VARs. For more information, please visit www.keyware.com.

&uot;Layered Biometric Verification&uot; and &uot;LBV&uot; are registered trademarks of Keyware Technologies, Inc. &uot;Java&uot; and &uot;Java Card&uot; are registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc.