Gemplus' GemSAFE Logon System Provides a Smart Way to Manage Passwords; New Password Management System Cuts Administration Costs

Business Wire, Oct 22, 2001

Business Editors/Technology Writers

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 22, 2001

Cartes 2001--Gemplus International S.A. (Euronext: Sicovam 5768 and Nasdaq:GEMP), the world's number one provider of solutions empowered by smart cards, today launched GemSAFE Logon, a smart card-based password management solution for simple and secure access to PCs, networks and IT applications.

A recent Forrester report states that in today's corporate environments as much as 80 percent of IT helpdesks calls are due to password login difficulties. GemSAFE Logon directly combats the cumbersome administration caused by forgotten or corrupted password codes, and reduces the number of password-related helpdesk queries.

GemSAFE Logon, an extension of Gemplus' GemSAFE security solution suite, allows each user to store login codes on their own personal smart card, eliminating the need to remember passwords. As a portable solution, the card can be inserted into any smart card reader at any PC within an organization. The user is then given full access to the network, as well as his or her personal files and applications. To prevent corruption of passwords or unauthorized use of an individual's card, a personal PIN number protects each card.

Sven Hammar, Vice President of Gemplus' Financial and Security Services Business Unit, said, "The issue of securing access, to both networks and buildings, is growing rapidly. GemSAFE Logon is a highly user-friendly and cost-effective solution for organizations, such as government departments and corporations, looking for quick implementation of single sign-on."

Gemplus' new password management system is one of the first smart card-based user-centric SSO (single sign-on) solutions to be launched. Although there are server-based systems on the market, these do not have the advantages of portability and multi-application facilities offered by smart cards.

The Gemplus cards add the benefit of multi-application capabilities, enabling greater ROI for organizations. For example, besides secure login, the smart cards could be used as identity badges, for managing physical access to rooms and buildings, or as an e-purse for small transactions at vending machines.

The smart cards deployed under the GemSAFE Logon system provide all the security needed to protect passwords and logins. By deploying a user-centric and convenient tool to their employees, corporations can now enforce a strong security policy and thus protect IT resources.

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT CERTAIN OF THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS RELEASE MAY CONSTITUTE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. THESE STATEMENTS RELATE TO FUTURE EVENTS OR OUR FUTURE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND INVOLVE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER FACTORS INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION CUSTOMER DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS, SUPPLY OF KEY COMPONENTS, DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MARKET AND ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY THAT MAY CAUSE OUR OR OUR INDUSTRY'S ACTUAL RESULTS, LEVELS OF ACTIVITY, OR PERFORMANCE TO MATERIALLY DIFFER FROM THOSE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. FOR A MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THESE FACTORS, PLEASE SEE GEMPLUS' MOST RECENT FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE STATEMENTS REFLECT MANAGEMENT'S CURRENT EXPECTATIONS REGARDING FUTURE EVENTS AND OPERATING PERFORMANCE AND SPEAK ONLY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS RELEASE. WE ARE UNDER NO DUTY TO IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT CERTAIN OF THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS RELEASE MAY CONSTITUTE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. THESE STATEMENTS RELATE TO FUTURE EVENTS OR OUR FUTURE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND INVOLVE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER FACTORS INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION CUSTOMER DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS, SUPPLY OF KEY COMPONENTS, DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MARKET AND ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY THAT MAY CAUSE OUR OR OUR INDUSTRY'S ACTUAL RESULTS, LEVELS OF ACTIVITY, OR PERFORMANCE TO MATERIALLY DIFFER FROM THOSE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. FOR A MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THESE FACTORS, PLEASE SEE GEMPLUS' MOST RECENT FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE STATEMENTS REFLECT MANAGEMENT'S CURRENT EXPECTATIONS REGARDING FUTURE EVENTS AND OPERATING PERFORMANCE AND SPEAK ONLY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS RELEASE. WE ARE UNDER NO DUTY TO UPDATE OR REVISE ANY OF THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AFTER THIS DATE OR TO CONFORM SUCH STATEMENTS TO ACTUAL RESULTS OR TO REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF ANTICIPATED RESULTS.

About Gemplus

GEMPLUS: the world's number one provider of solutions empowered by Smart Cards (Gartner Dataquest 2001).

Gemplus helps its clients offer an exceptional range of portable, personalized solutions that bring security and convenience to people's lives. These include mobile Internet access, inter-operable banking facilities, e-commerce and a wealth of other applications.