Biometrically Enabled Financial Cards and IDs Enable Stronger
Authentication, Provide Better Defense Against Fraud and Misuse
NEW ORLEANS, April 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Identix Incorporated (Nasdaq: IDNX) and Datacard Group signed a non-binding
letter of intent (LOI) today that calls for further discussions expected to
lead to an agreement whereby Datacard would license and integrate advanced
biometrics technology from Identix into its portfolio of digital identity
solutions. The companies believe that these new solutions would allow
financial institutions, corporations, governments and other organizations to
improve security for transactions involving credit cards, employee IDs,
national IDs, voter registration cards, travel documents and other important
cards and documents. The announcement came today at the 2002
CardTech/SecurTech Conference in New Orleans.
The companies are contemplating development of secure digital identity
solutions that would be addressed in a definitive agreement. Identix
fingerprint biometric hardware and software technology would be integrated
with Datacard(R) ID Works(R) identification software and Datacard(R) card
printers. The resulting systems would allow card issuers to capture
fingerprints during a secure enrollment process. Fingerprint images will then
be stored on ID cards using embedded microchips (smart cards) or
two-dimensional bar codes. When cardholders want to make purchases, enter
secure facilities or access other privileges, they will place their finger on
a reader and the client's system will compare their fingerprint to the one
stored on the card. Clients may also choose to match fingerprints to images
stored in a central database. The cardholder will be authorized if there is a
match.
"Biometrically enabled identification cards will help prevent fraud and
abuse through strong, proof-positive cardholder authentication," said Martin
Kearsley, senior vice president and general manager of Datacard's software and
solutions group. "Fingerprints cannot be lost, stolen or misplaced. Combining
them with highly secure, tamper-evident cards elevates security to a whole new
level."
"There is surging worldwide demand for highly effective authentication
systems in both the public and private sectors. There is particularly strong
interest in the maritime, trucking and airline industries," Kearsley said.
"We believe that integrating Identix technology with our systems would not
only expand our biometrics offerings, but would create strong differentiation
for Datacard secure identity solutions."
Kearsley said Datacard chose to work with Identix because of the company's
proven history of technology leadership and market knowledge. "Identix has
clearly distinguished itself as the leader in biometric authentication,
security and identification solutions," Kearsley said. "Integrating their
solutions with our identity systems would strengthen our biometrics
capabilities and give our clients access to important, new technologies. We
look forward to continuing discussions toward solidifying our relationship
with Identix and meeting some important secure identity requirements around
the world."
"By leveraging the power of biometrics, Datacard plans to offer its
clients much stronger and much more effective authentication options," said
Valerie Lyons, Identix executive vice president of worldwide sales. "We look
forward to continuing to work towards cementing our relationship with Datacard
and we believe this relationship has the potential to help position Datacard
as a leading provider of identity solutions to financial institutions,
corporations, government agencies and other security-minded organizations."
Datacard Group provides software, systems and professional services needed
to build profitable card programs. The company's solutions portfolio also
includes a complete line of secure digital identity systems and card
personalization systems. Datacard Group is privately held and based in
Minnetonka, Minn. Datacard Group serves customers in more than 120 countries.
( http://www.datacard.com )
About Identix
Identix Incorporated, http://www.Identix.com , is a leader in designing,
developing, manufacturing and marketing products for the capture and/or
comparison of fingerprints for security, anti-fraud, law enforcement, physical
access and other applications. Identix designs and develops proprietary,
cost-effective, security products and solutions for personal identification
and verification. Through itrust(TM), Identix offers an array of Internet and
wireless web secure transaction processing services, and provides a wide range
of applications to markets that include corporate enterprise security,
Intranet, extranet, and Internet, wireless Web access and security,
E-commerce, government and law enforcement agencies.
The statements in this release that relate to future plans, events or
performance are forward-looking statements that reflect Identix' current
expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic
conditions. Such statements are made in reliance on the safe harbor
provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. Identix cautions investors that any forward looking statements involve
risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially
from those expressed or implied in such forward looking statements. Such
risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties
associated with arising out of or related to: development of the marketplace
for biometrics solutions; demand for Identix' products and services; the
ability of Identix' alliances to succeed and in particular, the ability of
Identix to complete product development, successfully manufacture its products
in volume and broadly disseminate Identix' products; increasing levels of
competition in the space for wired and wireless web security services; the
perceived need for secure communications and commerce in such markets; the
proposed merger between Identix and Visionics Corporation (Nasdaq: VSNX), such
as obtaining regulatory and shareholder approval, fulfilling the conditions
set forth in the definitive merger agreement for the closing of the
anticipated transaction, and the timing of the closing of the transaction; and
other risks as identified in Identix' SEC filings. Identix disclaims any
intention or obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to
reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect
the occurrence of unanticipated events.
For further information, please contact Damon Wright, Director of Investor
Relations and Public Relations of Identix Incorporated, +1-408-335-1400,
dwright@identix.com; or Kevin Gillick, Head of Corporate Marketing of Datacard
Group, +1-952-988-2846, kevin_gillick@datacard.com.
SOURCE Identix Incorporated
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Related links:
http://www.identix.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/637909.html
CONTACT:
Damon Wright, Director of Investor Relations
and Public Relations of Identix Incorporated, +1-408-335-1400,
dwright@identix.com; or Kevin Gillick, Head of Corporate
Marketing of Datacard Group, +1-952-988-2846,
kevin_gillick@datacard.com
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