Syntel Achieves Top Security Certification for its India-Based Development Centers

Business Wire, Dec 9, 2004

TROY, Mich. -- Syntel, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYNT), a global information technology services firm, today announced that it has completed a BS 7799-2:2002 certification program for its four global development centers in India. BS 7799-2:2002 is an internationally recognized security framework that establishes best practices for information, personnel, network and physical security.

In order to become certified, an organization must document and implement an Information Security Management System (ISMS) in accordance with the guidelines set forth in part two of the BS 7799 standards document. Once these standards and controls have been implemented, a third party must conduct an audit in order to verify compliance.

"The successful completion of this initiative affirms our commitment to our customers' information security and our dedication to maintaining robust, secure development facilities," said Bharat Desai, Syntel's Chairman and CEO.

BS 7799 was co-developed by the British government and British Standards Institute in the 1990s as a standard code of practice for information security. It was revised and strengthened in 2000, when it was adopted by the International Standards Organization (ISO) and schemes for accreditation and certification were published. In 2002, the standard was revised again, to include a six-part process for establishing an Information Security Management System under the name of BS 7799-2:2002.

Syntel's implementation of the BS 7799-2:2002 standard sets it apart from other adopters in the offshore outsourcing space. Because Syntel understands that security cannot be applied selectively, it has adopted BS 7799-2:2002 as a standard practice for all of its offshore facilities, in contrast with many of the leading IT services firms, which have chosen to implement it in only a few facilities. Furthermore, Syntel has applied the more rigorous and updated 2002 version of BS 7799, rather than the 1999 version in use by many other IT firms. Syntel's third-party certification was completed by BVQI.

"Certifying our India facilities as BS 7799-2:2002 compliant places Syntel in an elite group of global companies that have implemented such a rigorous security regime," added Syntel Chief Operating Officer Keshav Murugesh. "This certification will give our existing and future customers the confidence in Syntel's security and business continuity processes to move forward with their global delivery strategies."

About Syntel

Syntel (NASDAQ: SYNT) is a leading global provider of custom outsourcing solutions in a broad spectrum of information technology and information technology-enabled services. The Company's vertical practices support the entire Design-Build-Operate-Optimize lifecycle of systems and processes for corporations in the Financial Services, Insurance, Retail, Health Care and Automotive industries. The first US-based firm to launch a Global Delivery Service to drive speed-to-market and quality advantages for its customers, Syntel now leverages this efficient model for the majority of its Global 2000 customers. Recently named one of Forbes Magazine's "Best 200 Small Companies in America," Syntel has more than 4,300 employees worldwide, is assessed at Level 5 of the SEI's CMM, BS 7799-2:2002 as well as ISO 9001:2000 certified. To learn more, visit us at: www.syntelinc.com.

About BVQI

BVQI was founded in 1988 in response to the growing demand for independent certification of Quality Management Systems. With 2,000 highly trained and experienced auditors delivering world-wide and services covering more than 100 countries, BVQI is now the world's leading independent

certification body with more than 50,000 certificates issued. BVQI holds accreditations from more than 30 accreditation bodies. This guarantees that our clients are provided with recognized certificates, which are relevant to their market sector. It allows our clients appropriate recognition of their value all over the world. Visit BVQI on the web at http://www.bvqi.com.