Axalto and MetaPass Team Up to Strengthen IT Security

Business Wire, Nov 21, 2005

AUSTIN, Texas -- Axalto, the world's leading provider of microprocessor cards and MetaPass, Inc., a Silicon Valley security software company, have teamed up to strengthen IT security and simplify the user's experience. The new solution couples Axalto's Protiva(TM) strong authentication tokens or Cyberflex Access smart cards with MetaPass Single Sign-On (SSO) software. It allows users to access multiple computers, networks and applications without having to remember and type multiple passwords. It is fully compatible with Axalto smart card technology used for building security and ID credentials, so organizations can use one ID card for physical and information security.

"Passwords alone are no longer secure enough," said Francois Lasnier, vice president of Axalto North America. "A single sign-on solution with smart cards and smart card powered tokens is much more effective at stopping fraud. Using personalized Axalto smart cards and tokens with MetaPass technology is a reliable means to reduce password-related problems, lower support costs and make life easier for users."

Industry research shows that password reset and support costs are typically the highest cost for most IT organizations. The trend in best information security practices is to enhance passwords with a stronger form of security using a smart card that enables two-factor authentication to access secure password storage. All Protiva tokens are powered by smart cards that contain a tiny computer specifically designed for portability of high security applications.

MetaPass SSO technology is based on visual analysis and recognition. Therefore, it requires no scripting or integration and works right out of the box. Another advantage is that organizations can securely control access rights to information for each of their employees with MetaPass' complete administration software server. This capability is an extremely important tool for complying with information security and protection laws like HIPAA, Sarbanes-Oxley and Graham-Leach-Bailey. Smart cards and Protiva tokens also provide higher security for remote users and offer a strong defense against both internal and Internet fraud.

Since Axalto and MetaPass have already integrated the new solution, it is easy to deploy and works immediately upon installation on most systems and applications. The credentials used to access these systems, such as user names, passwords, digital certificates and one-time passwords are securely stored in personalized Protiva strong authentication tokens or Axalto's Cyberflex Access smart cards.

"In business today, increasing numbers of passwords decrease security and add to user frustration and help desk costs," said David DuPouy, CEO of MetaPass. "With Axalto, we have eliminated the need for users to remember or even know their passwords with a reliable solution that provides highly secure, portable single sign-on."

About Axalto

Axalto (EURONEXT:AXL) and (EURONEXT:NL0000400653) is the world's leading provider (Gartner 2005, Frost & Sullivan 2004) of microprocessor cards - the key to digital networks - and a major supplier of point-of-sale terminals. Its 4,500 employees, from over 60 nationalities, serve customers in more than 100 countries, with worldwide sales reaching over 3 billion smart cards to date. With 25 year's of experience in smart card innovation, the company leads its industry in security technology and open systems.

Axalto creates new generations of products for use in a variety of applications in the telecommunications, finance, retail, transport, entertainment, healthcare, personal identification, information technology and public sector markets. Microprocessor cards provide convenience, security and privacy to public and private services operators, their customers and end users. For more information, please visit www.axalto.com.

About MetaPass, Inc.

MetaPass provides the most powerful enterprise single-sign-on software on the market. Direct benefits to customers include no more passwords to type and remember, increased security, decreased support costs, and easier regulation compliance. MetaPass is based in Mountain View, California. For more information, please call 1 (650) 266-8255 or visit http://www.metapass.com