Online and Digital Identification, Securing Web 2.0, PKI and Digital Certificates

ActivCard Debuts Enterprise Access Solutions for Single Sign-On, Secure Remote Access, and Smart Card-Based ID Cards

Tuesday, February 24, 2004

Integrated, Trusted Digital Identity Product Line Breaks New Ground in Easing and Securing Access to PC and Network Resources


RSA CONFERENCE, SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – ActivCard Corp. (Nasdaq: ACTI), a global provider of strong authentication and trusted digital identity solutions, today announced availability of its modular Enterprise Access solutions for government, enterprise, and financial services. The new ActivCard integrated architecture makes it easy to securely issue, use, manage, and deploy additional components of digital identity infrastructure as needed.

The new modular ActivCard solutions cover diverse aspects of identification for users, and allow customers to start with one solution and upgrade over time. For example, a customer may decide to reduce the burdens and costs tied to password management by starting with ActivCard Single Sign-On, and then later upgrade to a secure logical access-based smart card solution. A customer might also decide to reduce expenses for managing legacy leased tokens by deploying ActivCard tokens instead as a first step – and then without disruption, easily move to Single Sign-On or to an Enterprise Access Card badge that consolidates both physical and network security credentials at a later date. The result is a solution set that offers a dramatic return on investment (ROI) by simplifying the user experience, securing access to sensitive data and applications, and streamlining administration and IT help desk functions.

ActivCard extends, and does not replace, a corporation’s existing identity management systems. Instead, the ActivCard Enterprise Access solutions complement corporate LDAP directories for user management, and integrate with most commonly used provisioning, web SSO and PKI solutions on the market. This new interoperable architecture enables organizations to maximize the benefits of Secure Remote Access, Single Sign-On (SSO), and Enterprise Access Card solutions with the following new software:

-- ActivCard AAA Server v6.2<br />
       -- Standards-based RADIUS and TACACS+ Authentication,
          Authorization, and Accounting using diverse two-factor device
          options including tokens, soft tokens, USB keys, and smart cards<br />
       -- Supports synchronous and challenge-response authentication with
          patented three-variable algorithm, providing security and
          lowering or eliminating re-synchs<br />
       -- Faster performance as well as distributed authentication servers
          scale to hundreds of thousands of users<br /><br />

-- ActivCard Single Sign-On Server v5.0<br />
       -- Centralizes password management through Enterprise SSO that
          strengthens security with full-length hardened passwords for
          commonly used enterprise applications, including Microsoft(R)
          Windows, mainframe, JAVA, and web applications<br />
       -- Reduces or eliminates usernames and passwords so users no longer
          have to remember or manage these credentials or perform several
          different login and sign-on tasks<br />
       -- Extends identity management functionality for a central point of
          administration, provisioning and issuance of user accounts and
          digital identity credentials - with the ability to add smart
          card-based authentication for greater security and convenience<br /><br />

-- ActivCard Card Management System v3.6<br />
       -- Leverages existing digital identity infrastructures through open
          standards support of leading directories, certificate<br />
          authorities, building access systems, and provisioning systems
       -- Provides unparalleled security for trusted, distributed issuance
          and post-issuance management of cards, digital credentials and
          applets<br />
       -- Supports cards from all leading smart card vendors*<br /><br />

-- ActivClient v5.0<br />
       -- Single client enables smart cards for PC and network login,
          secure remote access, single sign-on and a variety of desktop
          security functions<br />
       -- Supports the leading certificate authorities, allowing
          organizations to use digital certificates that are secured on
          smart cards<br />
       -- Extends the functionality, usability and security of ActivCard
          industry-leading smart card client software.  ActivCard client
          software has been licensed to over 2.3 million users worldwide.<br /><br />

At their core, the ActivCard modular solutions address the essential

security requirement that organizations face today: That is, to know with certainty the identity of individuals connecting to networks, services and data in today’s anytime, anywhere computing environment. The solution allows customers to alleviate risks and inefficiencies associated with vulnerable static passwords by deploying ActivCard strong authentication to secure communications. That fundamental commitment to security can be enhanced with next generation smart card technology capabilities for PKI and other secure digital identity credentials. With the new modular product design, customers gain the flexibility to add strong authentication and trusted digital identity capabilities as requirements evolve – seamlessly extending and linking to corporate directories and IT infrastructure.

“It has become clear that the corporate world needs to be as proactive as government entities in protecting assets and network boundaries from constant emerging threats. ActivCard answers that imperative with leading authentication solutions,” said Frank Bishop, ActivCard Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing. “Whether you need to manage the proliferation of user passwords, increase network security through one-time-passwords, or deploy the non-repudiated security of PKI, ActivCard has the modular solution set to meet the needs of the organization where it is today. With this new unified line of products that evolve to address your future requirements, ActivCard offers the most comprehensive solution in the marketplace for trusted digital identity.”

The ActivCard solutions will be demonstrated in Booth # 1201 at the RSA

Conference from February 23-26.

*  A list of supported smart cards is available from ActivCard Corp.<br /><br />

About ActivCard<br />
ActivCard, http://www.activcard.com, is a global provider of strong

authentication and trusted digital identity solutions for secure remote access, single sign-on and enterprise access cards. Our scalable systems and strong authentication solutions are trusted by organizations – from enterprise to governments around the world. ActivCard delivers maximum Return On Identity(TM) (ROI) through increased security, reduced cost, and user convenience. The modular product design allows our customers to add capabilities as required, preserving their investment.

The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are

forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with changes in our management team, fluctuations in operating results, our history of losses, and other risks identified in our periodic filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, those appearing under the caption “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Copies of these filings are available from ActivCard and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially from our forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. ActivCard disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

NOTE:  ActivCard is a registered trademark and Return on Identity is a

trademark of ActivCard in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners in the United States and/or other countries. [end] 

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