DENVER, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC), a
global leader in electronic commerce and payment services, today announced the
availability of DataSIGN(TM) products to protect businesses and consumers from
the threat of identity theft and fraud. DataSIGN products leverage a digital
signing microchip that can be used in payment terminals and cards, mobile
phones and other devices to verify the identity of users and provide auditable
transactions.
DataSIGN products enable companies to easily replace passwords and other
weak authentication solutions with the strength of digital signatures for
increased protection against security breaches that could result in fraud
losses. This empowers businesses to use the profit potential of today's
electronic world without putting themselves or their customers at risk.
"With the growing rate and sophistication of identity theft and Internet
fraud, increased password hackings and new legislative pressures calling for
corporate accountability, companies need strong authentication of users and
transactions to protect their business and customers," said Gene Kathol, vice
president of research and development for First Data and managing director of
the First Data Secure Signing Platform (formerly aSuretee(R) Products). "For
years First Data has been actively engaged in combating fraud, and DataSIGN
products are another important offering in our continued efforts."
A digital signature is an electronic code that can be attached to an
electronic transaction to prove the authenticity of the sender and the
contents of the message. Therefore, businesses can use digital signatures
like handwritten signatures -- to authenticate the fact that their customers
promised something that they can't refute later. Any electronic transaction
signed using a DataSIGN authentication token verifies the signer's identity
and the integrity of the transaction.
DataSIGN products provide several key benefits for businesses that want
increased protection against fraud:
1. Simple: DataSIGN products are based on the Secure Signing Platform, a
First Data innovation that unleashes the power of digital signatures
in a way that is cost effective and easy to use.
2. Strong: DataSIGN Tokens leverage a digital signing chip that has been
manufactured in the most secure manner possible and is scheduled to
receive several of the highest rated government security
certifications in Q2 of 2004.
3. Versatile: DataSIGN Tokens employ a unique, multi-level security
feature which enables companies to use varying levels of user
authentication based on transaction value.
"We are using the DataSIGN product in support of our gift and spending
card programs to offer our clients highly secure settlement products for the
growing franchise market," said Chris McGee, senior manager of business
development for ValueLink. "Using the DataSIGN product, we can control access
to sensitive data, financial transactions and user administration to process
safe and efficient settlement transactions."
About First Data Secure Signing Platform
The First Data Secure Signing Platform, formerly the aSuretee(TM) product
suite, helps businesses reduce the risk of fraud and security breaches when
conducting transactions in today's electronic world. By enabling companies to
easily and cost-effectively replace passwords and other weak authentication
solutions with the digital equivalent to a handwritten signature, the First
Data Secure Signing Platform offers increased protection against the growing
trend of identity theft and transaction fraud. The First Data Secure Signing
Platform, featuring DataSIGN(TM) products, defends against unauthorized
network access and proves both the origin and integrity of electronic
transactions empowering companies to leverage the profit potential of
e-business without putting themselves or their customers at risk. First Data
provides a full range of products and services that complement the Secure
Signing Platform. For more information, please visit.firstdatasecure.com.
About First Data
First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC), with global headquarters in Denver, helps
power the global economy. As a leader in electronic commerce and payment
services, First Data serves approximately 3.1 million merchant locations,
1,400 card issuers and millions of consumers, making it easy, fast and secure
for people and businesses to buy goods and services using virtually any form
of payment. With 29,000 employees worldwide, the company provides credit,
debit, smart card and stored-value card issuing and merchant transaction
processing services; Internet commerce solutions; money transfer services;
money orders; and check processing and verification services throughout the
United States. First Data also offers a variety of payment services in the
United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Spain, the Netherlands, the
Middle East and Germany. Its Western Union and Orlandi Valuta money transfer
networks include approximately 182,000 agent locations in more than
195 countries and territories.
FDC-1
SOURCE First Data Corp.
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Related links:
http://www.firstdatasecure.com
CONTACT:
Lorraine Kauffman-Hall, First Data Secure
Signing Platform, +1-704-882-0443,
lorraine.kauffman@firstdatacorp.com, or Staci Busby, Corporate
Communications, +1-303-967-7188, staci.busby@firstdatacorp.com,
both of First Data Corp.
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