ImageWare Systems Secures $1 Million in New Orders

Market Wire, December, 2008

ImageWare Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: IWSYE), a leading developer of identity management solutions, received multiple new orders during November totaling approximately $1 million from new and existing government and private sector customers. The largest of these orders were for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and New South Wales Police Force, Australia.

"While we continue to be advised by our partners and customers that significant new project orders are close to being released, we are pleased to see an increase in the monthly inflow of orders for our biometric, identity management, law enforcement and related products and services," said Jim Miller, ImageWare CEO.

About ImageWare Systems, Inc.

ImageWare Systems, Inc. is a leading developer of identity management solutions, providing biometric, secure credential and law enforcement technologies. Scalable for worldwide deployment, the Company's biometric product line includes a multi-biometric engine that is hardware and algorithm independent, enabling the enrollment and management of unlimited population sizes. ImageWare's identification products are used to manage and issue secure credentials including national IDs, passports, driver licenses, smart cards and access control credentials. ImageWare's digital booking products provide law enforcement with integrated mug shot, fingerprint Livescan and investigative capabilities. ImageWare is headquartered in San Diego, with offices in Portland, OR, Washington, DC and Canada. For more information visit www.iwsinc.com .

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the "safe harbor'' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While these statements are meant to convey to the public the company's progress, business opportunities and growth prospects, readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements represent management's opinion. While management believes such representation to be true and accurate based on the information available to the company, actual results may differ materially from those described. The company's operations and business prospects are always subject to risks and uncertainties. Important facts that may cause actual results to differ are set forth in the company's periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company Contact: Wayne Wetherell ImageWare Systems, Inc. (858) 673-8600