Sagem Morpho's Biometric Access Control Terminal "Reviewer's Choice" by Government Computer News

Market Wire, February, 2006

In the February 6, 2006 edition of Government Computer News or GCN, an article entitled "Biometrics look ready for prime time," Sagem Morpho's MorphoAccess biometric terminal was declared "Reviewer's Choice" by the GCN Lab. This GCN article addresses the need for biometric access control in the framework of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and the Federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards. Full article available at www.gcn.com/25_3/lab_reviews/38160-1.html

The MorphoAccess 221D, tested by the GCN Lab, was given high marks including A's for both features and value and an A- for performance. Functioning with smart cards or fingerprints, this affordable unit is ideal for federal agencies needing access control terminals now and when they are ready for PIV compliance. In addition, the MorphoAccess 221 D integrates well with existing commercial access control systems via Ethernet or RS-422 and features fake finger detection.

As PIV cards are becoming a reality in all Federal Agencies, Identity Management experience is of the utmost importance. The secure and verified identification credentials as established in PIV are the outcome of the NIST FIPS 201 standard prompted by HSPD-12.

Sagem has extensive worldwide experience in Identity Management, including identity proofing, with integrated biometrics. Sagem Morpho Inc. has designed and implemented several ID management programs in the USA including the identification of applicants for the distribution of disability benefits at the New York State Office of Temporary Disability Agency and a medical benefits pilot program in a Southwestern State.

Sagem Morpho's PIV Solution

As the third vendor to arrive on the PIV Card Application Pre-Validation List, Sagem Morpho submitted 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. 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.

View full press release at http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=111280

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.

Contact: James Conniff 703.797.2668