JCB Selects Cybertrust Japan to Issue SET 1.0 Digital Certificates to Its Cardholders and Merchants for Use in Secure Online Credit Card Payments

Business Wire, Feb 26, 1998

NEEDHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 26, 1998--GTE CyberTrust Solutions Incorporated today announced that JCB Co., Ltd., the largest credit card issuer in Japan, has selected CyberTrust Japan, Inc. (CTJ) to issue digital certificates compatible with version 1.0 of the Secure Electronic Transaction (SET(tm)) protocol.

The SET protocol is an open industry standard developed for the secure transmission of payment information over the Internet and other electronic networks. SET is designed to keep order and payment information confidential, increase integrity for transmitted data, and provide authentication to cardholders, merchants and banks. SET uses the best security practices and system design techniques to protect all legitimate parties in an electronic commerce transaction. SET 1.0 is the latest SET specification, released in May 1997.

"Digital certificates are an important component in SET, providing security to cardholders and merchants alike," added Masaaki Ikeuchi, president of JCB Co., Ltd. "CTJ, working in conjunction with GTE, is providing the digital certificates that bring us one step closer to realizing the promise of secure electronic commerce."

JCB is the leading credit card company in Japan with 37 million cardholders, premier transaction volume, and a range of establishments worldwide where JCB cards are accepted. JCB also operates the "J-Mall" (http://www.j-mall.ne.jp), an online mall with premier merchants. Committed to creating its own international network of services, JCB*s customer-focus and emphasis on high-value services distinguishes the JCB brand from other credit cards and payment systems.

"JCB is leading the way to secure electronic commerce in Japan using SET 1.0," said Akihiko Kawashima, president of CyberTrust Japan. "As the largest credit card issuer in Japan, JCB can provide payment solutions to consumers and merchants that set the trend for others to follow. CTJ is pleased to be working with JCB to make these solutions a reality."

"With a large base of customers and merchants prepared to support online payments protected by SET, JCB and CTJ are making SET a reality in Japan," said Peter Hussey, president of GTE CyberTrust Solutions Inc. "CyberTrust Japan is making a substantial contribution to secure electronic commerce."

CyberTrust Japan, Inc. was established in April of 1997 to provide digital certificates and certificate authority services to banks, credit card companies and other organizations for use in secure electronic payment and access control applications on the Internet in Japan. Based in Sapporo, Japan, CTJ uses the GTE CyberTrust Certificate Management System to provide flexible, scalable security solutions to its customers, including JCB Co., Ltd. CyberTrust Japan was formed in April 1997 by GTE CyberTrust Solutions, in conjunction with B.U.G., Inc., Nomura Research Institute, Ltd. and NTT Mobile Communications Network Inc. In addition to the four core investors, 24 distinguished Japanese corporations are general investors in CTJ. More information about CyberTrust Japan can be found at http://www.cybertrust.co.jp.

GTE CyberTrust Solutions Incorporated provides flexible certification authority (CA) solutions to secure a wide range of network-based applications. GTE CyberTrust Solutions offers both products and services to meet the varying security requirements of corporate enterprises, financial institutions and government agencies. The industry*s most experienced provider of digital certificates, GTE CyberTrust creates the strongest solutions by partnering with customers and leading technology providers. More information about GTE CyberTrust products and services can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.cybertrust.gte.com.

CONTACT: CyberTrust Japan

Yukiko Fujiwara, 81-11-210-7117

fyukiko@cybertrust.co.jp

OR

GTE Internetworking

Vaughn Harring, 617/873-4659

harring@bbnplanet.com

OR

Marenghi & Associates

Michael Shirer, 781/239-0057

mshirer@marenghi.com