Sagem Morpho Enters FIPS 201 Pre-Certification

Fingerprint Identification Technology Presents:

Sagem Morpho Enters FIPS 201 Pre-Certification

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 02/27/2006 -- Sagem Morpho Inc., an industry leader in fingerprint and smart card technology, is pleased to announce on January 31, 2006 the submittal of the JD-ID Mark 64 v.1 card with PIV Applet and the Sagem Morpho PIV Client API v.1 to InfoGard Laboratories for FIPS 201 certification (link: http://csrc.nist.gov/npivp/, select Pre-Validation List to the left). The JD-ID Mark 64 v.1 card also recently completed FIPS 140-2 certification testing through the same laboratory. The secure and verified identification credentials as established in PIV are the outcome of the NIST FIPS 201 standard prompted by the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12). In addition to providing a PIV compliant smart card, Sagem Morpho also provides PIV compliant middleware capable of personalizing and managing the contents of the card, including: -- Applicant's personal data (e.g., name, DOB, Social Security number, etc.) -- Applicant's CHUID (Card Holder Unique Identifier) -- Applicant's biometric templates and facial image on the contact chip of the card -- Applicant's PIN, required to unlock the biometric templates and other data objects from the contact chip on the card -- Symmetric and asymmetric keys: PIV Authentication key, Card Management key, Digital Signature key, Key Management key, and Card Authentication key. With these tools Sagem Morpho is furthermore pleased to announce their registration to participate in the NIST PIV Demonstration Project, known as CRADA (http://csrc.nist.gov/piv-program/CRADA, click on Participating Vendors). Sagem Morpho is best known as a top provider of Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) supporting many state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, including the FBI. Sagem Morpho also provides states with live-scan systems for driver's license issuance and welfare service card issuance to prevent duplicate enrollment. Presently, Sagem Morpho manages a debit card program for the New York State Office of Temporary Disability Agency, to identify individuals applying for medical, financial, or physical needs assistance. Sagem Morpho produces 8,000 cards daily at two mailed Card Production sites and two 1-hour service Over-the-Counter sites. In addition, Sagem Morpho provides smartcards with fingerprint templates as well as smart card and biometric readers to a medical benefits pilot program in a Southwestern State. This pilot demonstrates the capabilities of biometric and smartcard technology to eliminate fraud. Should an individual attempt to enroll under a different name, the duplication will be caught during the biometric enrollment process. Thereafter, applicant fingerprint data is stored on a contact chip for 1 to 1 verification when medical services are required. As an access control solutions provider, Sagem Morpho implements both indoor and outdoor biometric access control terminals that enable three-factor authentication by way of card, pin number, and biometric verification. Sagem Morpho, sub-contracting for a nationwide Access Control Company, provided over 600 access control terminals for portal control at a major U.S. airport. These terminals have been in use for roughly 18 months. In the logical access arena, Sagem Morpho is the technology partner of choice to various solution providers for single sign-on in hospital environments, and point of sale in various markets. For More Information on Sagem Morpho's PIV capabilities contact: James Conniff 703.797.2668 About Sagem Morpho, Inc. (www.morpho.com) Sagem Morpho, the industry leading biometrics company, develops, manufactures, and integrates multiple biometric technologies including fingerprint, palmprint, iris scan and facial recognition products and services. SAGEM Morpho applies more than twenty-five years of global experience in biometric identification. It delivers trusted and reliable biometric solutions to address a wide variety of markets that include the Federal Government, homeland security, law enforcement, drivers' licenses, civil identification, as well as commercial and consumer applications. SAGEM Morpho's solutions are in use by government administrations including the FBI and many other Federal, State and local agencies. Sagem Morpho is a wholly owned subsidiary of the European group SAFRAN.