Solutions to Include End-to-End Secure Messaging, Real-time
Certificate Validation and Next-Generation E-Commerce Services for RIM
Wireless Handheld Devices
SAN JOSE, Calif., RSA Conference 2000, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- VeriSign,
Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), the leading provider of Internet trust services, and
Research In Motion Limited (TSE: RIM; Nasdaq: RIMM), a world leader in the
mobile communications market, today announced a strategic alliance to enable
individuals using VeriSign's trust services and RIM wireless devices to
conduct trusted and secure transactions and communications over wireless
networks.
As part of the alliance, RIM has named VeriSign a premier provider of
public key infrastructure (PKI) and trust services for wireless devices and
will embed VeriSign's digital certificate root keys as default root keys in
RIM's handheld security architecture. RIM's handheld security architecture
will also incorporate VeriSign's new Wireless Personal Trust Agent to enable
seamless digital certificate handling, end-to-end digital signatures and
encrypted communications over wireless networks. Digital certificates are
electronic credentials used to identify parties on the Internet and enable
secure, verifiable electronic transactions and communications.
RIM devices are widely deployed and distributed through leading providers
including BellSouth Wireless Data, PageNet, Rogers AT&T Wireless, American
Mobile Satellite Corporation, SkyTel, RCN and Dell Computer Corporation. The
joint solutions being developed by RIM and VeriSign will enable service
providers such as BellSouth Wireless Data to offer value-added services to a
broad range of customer segments (see related release "BellSouth to Deploy
VeriSign Wireless Trust Services," Jan. 17, 2000 at http://www.verisign.com). These
solutions span a broad range of applications, including authenticated
transactions for wireless banking, stock trading and consumer purchases and
secure messaging for RIM devices on the Microsoft Exchange platform.
"As businesses and individuals continue to leverage the mobility and
ubiquity of wireless networking, conducting trusted e-commerce transactions
using handheld devices is of paramount value," said Jim Balsillie, president
and co-CEO of Research In Motion. "Our agreement with VeriSign facilitates
our mission to ship wireless subscriber devices that are e-commerce ready,
creating the next generation platform for trusted transactions and
communications."
To extend secure messaging from corporate desktops through to RIM
handhelds, VeriSign will enhance its Go Secure! for Microsoft Exchange
services, providing a bridge between the millions of users on the Exchange
desktop platform and users with RIM BlackBerry(TM) handhelds. VeriSign will
also integrate its managed PKI services, real-time certificate validation
services, and forthcoming e-commerce transaction services with the RIM
handheld security architecture.
"Enabling handheld devices is a key component of our vision to provide the
trust infrastructure for wireless e-commerce," said Stratton Sclavos,
president and CEO of VeriSign. "Our partnership with RIM goes a long way
toward ensuring that today's new mobile devices, including two-way pagers and
other interactive handhelds, are primed to deliver the platform for
authenticating parties, validating transactions and facilitating secure
payments across wireless networks."
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN) is the leading provider of Internet trust
services - including authentication, validation and payment - needed by Web
sites, enterprises and individuals in order to conduct trusted and secure
electronic commerce and communications over IP networks. VeriSign's digital
certificate services for Web sites and consumers are available through the
company's Web site at http://www.verisign.com and a growing number of ISPs and Web
hosting companies. The company's digital certificate services for enterprises
and electronic commerce service providers are available through regional
account representatives, resellers, and global affiliates.
About Research In Motion
Research In Motion Limited is a leading designer, manufacturer and
marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the mobile communications
market. Through development and integration of hardware, software and
services, RIM provides solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive
information including email, messaging, Internet and intranet-based
applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party
developers and manufacturers in North America and around the world to enhance
their products and services with wireless connectivity. RIM's portfolio of
award-winning products includes the RIM Inter@ctive(TM) Pager 950, RIM 850
Wireless Handheld(TM), BlackBerry(TM) wireless email solution, wireless
personal computer card adapters, embedded radio-modems and software
development tools.
Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM is listed on the
Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE: RIM).
Investors may contact investor_relations@rim.net. Customers may contact
info@rim.net. Web site: http://www.rim.net.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including but not
limited to VeriSign's and RIM's ability to achieve the beneficial synergies of
their alliance described above. Such statements involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are
delays in product development, technical difficulties, software bugs and
errors, competitive pressures, changes in customer requirements, failure to
develop or maintain strategic partner relationships, market acceptance of new
technologies and technological changes in the computer industry. More
information about potential factors which could affect VeriSign, see the final
prospectus for VeriSign's follow-on offering dated January 26, 1999 and
VeriSign's reports filed with the SEC. Neither RIM nor VeriSign assumes any
obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press
release.
VeriSign is a registered trademark exclusively licensed to VeriSign, Inc.
VeriSign OnSite service mark of VeriSign, Inc. Research In Motion, RIM,
Inter@ctive, Inter@ctive Pager, RIM 850 Wireless Handheld, and BlackBerry are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. All other
trademarks are properties of their respective owners.
SOURCE VeriSign, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.verisign.com
CONTACT:
Jeff Wenker of Edelman Public Relations
Worldwide, 650-429-2768, for VeriSign; or Mark Guibert of
Research In Motion, 519-888-7465, mguibert@rim.net
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