SFNT Safenet (MM)

SafeNet, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFNT), setting the standard for information security, today announced that the company�s K3 card has received Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 201 certification for cryptographic modules. The K3 card, a component in SafeNet�s Luna Hardware Security Modules (HSMs), is the first cryptographic module certified for FIPS 201, making it the first HSM to be certified Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12) compliant. HSPD-12 is an executive mandate requiring that all federal employees and contractors use a smartcard as identification badges for physical access and logical access to IT resources. By implementing a FIPS 201-certified HSM as part of the HSPD-12 mandate, federal agencies are able to maximize on their investment to generate, store and protect cryptographic key material securely in applications requiring advanced PIV requirements. In addition to providing a high level of security, the FIPS 201 certification provides assurance of interoperability between the HSM and other components of HSPD-12 such as smartcards, middleware, card credential management system, biometrics and a physical access system. This interoperability allows agencies to maximize their HSPD-12 investment, as it affords not only compliance, but also helps protect more data. As FIPS 140-2, Level 3, certified products, SafeNet Luna HSMs are widely deployed worldwide and provide various agencies and organizations with the security needed to protect the most demanding security applications. �Government agencies require the best in security,� said Chris Holland, Director of Product Management, SafeNet Enterprise Security Division. �This certification gives them the reassurance that they can buy a product that is validated and meets all the requirements for HSPD-12 implementation.� About FIPS 201 FIPS 201 incorporates three technical publications specifying several aspects of the required administrative procedures and technical specifications that may change as the standard is implemented and used. NIST Special Publication 800-73, �Interfaces for Personal Identity Verification� specifies the interface and data elements of the PIV card; NIST Special Publication 800-76, Biometric Data Specification for Personal Identity Verification� specifies the technical acquisition and formatting requirements for biometric data of the PIV system; and NIST Special Publication 800-78, �Cryptographic Algorithms and Key Sizes for Personal Identity Verification� specifies the acceptable cryptographic algorithms and key sizes to be implemented and used for the PIV system. In addition, a number of guidelines, reference implementations, and conformance tests have been identified as being needed to: implement and use the PIV system protect the personal privacy of all subscribers of the PIV system authenticate identity source documents to obtain the correct legal name of the person applying for a PIV �card� electronically obtain and store required biometric data (e.g., fingerprints, facial images) from the PIV system subscriber create a PIV �card� that is personalized with data needed by the PIV system to later grant access to the subscriber to federal facilities and information systems assure appropriate levels of security for all applicable federal applications provide interoperability among federal organizations using the standards. These activities will be pursued as resources permit. About Luna HSMs SafeNet's Luna products feature an integrated hardware security module (HSM) offering hardware key management and cryptographic acceleration for unrivalled security and performance. The multi-level authentication policies control access to the Luna's administrative functions to provide the highest degree of protection for sensitive cryptographic keys and prevent unauthorized system configuration changes while still permitting flexible remote management and monitoring. The FIPS 140-2 validated product is capable of over 1,200 operations per second, significantly more than the competition and can offer optional standalone authentication to protect the most demanding security applications. Since the Luna product stores content to an encryption keys, it is an ideal solution for securing financial transactions and sensitive database stored information, such as banking personal identification numbers. About the HSPD-12 Mandate On August 27, 2004, in response to the general threat of unauthorized access to physical facilities and logical IT assets, the White House issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12). The primary objectives of HSPD-12 are the development and deployment of a federal government-wide common and reliable identification verification system that will be interoperable between all Government agencies and serve as the basis for reciprocity between those agencies. HSPD-12 mandates that all federal employees and contractors need to use a smartcard as identification badges for physical access and logical access to IT resources. The mandate is divided up into two parts called Personal Identity Verification parts 1 & 2 (i.e.; PIV 1/PIV 2). PIV 1 established a methodology across the federal agencies to properly vet a person�s ID. It includes fingerprint checking with the FBI and mandatory background checks for all federal employees and contractors. It establishes a baseline that all agencies need to follow to ensure their employees are who they say they are. PIV 2 takes newly established identities and binds them cryptographically to a smartcard. About SafeNet, Inc. SafeNet is a global leader in information security. Founded more than 20 years ago, the company provides complete security utilizing its encryption technologies to protect communications, intellectual property and digital identities, and offers a full spectrum of products including hardware, software, and chips. UBS, Nokia, Fujitsu, Hitachi, ARM, Bank of America, NetGear, the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, Adobe, Samsung, Texas Instruments, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and scores of other customers entrust their security needs to SafeNet. For more information, visit www.safenet-inc.com "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 The statements contained in this release, which are not historical facts, are 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 are subject to uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are included but are not limited to those listed in SafeNet's periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update information concerning its expectations. Editor's Note: SafeNet is a registered trademark of SafeNet, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. SafeNet, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFNT), setting the standard for information security, today announced that the company's K3 card has received Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 201 certification for cryptographic modules. The K3 card, a component in SafeNet's Luna Hardware Security Modules (HSMs), is the first cryptographic module certified for FIPS 201, making it the first HSM to be certified Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12) compliant. HSPD-12 is an executive mandate requiring that all federal employees and contractors use a smartcard as identification badges for physical access and logical access to IT resources. By implementing a FIPS 201-certified HSM as part of the HSPD-12 mandate, federal agencies are able to maximize on their investment to generate, store and protect cryptographic key material securely in applications requiring advanced PIV requirements. In addition to providing a high level of security, the FIPS 201 certification provides assurance of interoperability between the HSM and other components of HSPD-12 such as smartcards, middleware, card credential management system, biometrics and a physical access system. This interoperability allows agencies to maximize their HSPD-12 investment, as it affords not only compliance, but also helps protect more data. As FIPS 140-2, Level 3, certified products, SafeNet Luna HSMs are widely deployed worldwide and provide various agencies and organizations with the security needed to protect the most demanding security applications. "Government agencies require the best in security," said Chris Holland, Director of Product Management, SafeNet Enterprise Security Division. "This certification gives them the reassurance that they can buy a product that is validated and meets all the requirements for HSPD-12 implementation." About FIPS 201 FIPS 201 incorporates three technical publications specifying several aspects of the required administrative procedures and technical specifications that may change as the standard is implemented and used. NIST Special Publication 800-73, "Interfaces for Personal Identity Verification" specifies the interface and data elements of the PIV card; NIST Special Publication 800-76, Biometric Data Specification for Personal Identity Verification" specifies the technical acquisition and formatting requirements for biometric data of the PIV system; and NIST Special Publication 800-78, "Cryptographic Algorithms and Key Sizes for Personal Identity Verification" specifies the acceptable cryptographic algorithms and key sizes to be implemented and used for the PIV system. In addition, a number of guidelines, reference implementations, and conformance tests have been identified as being needed to: -- implement and use the PIV system -- protect the personal privacy of all subscribers of the PIV system -- authenticate identity source documents to obtain the correct legal name of the person applying for a PIV "card" -- electronically obtain and store required biometric data (e.g., fingerprints, facial images) from the PIV system subscriber -- create a PIV "card" that is personalized with data needed by the PIV system to later grant access to the subscriber to federal facilities and information systems -- assure appropriate levels of security for all applicable federal applications -- provide interoperability among federal organizations using the standards. These activities will be pursued as resources permit. About Luna HSMs SafeNet's Luna products feature an integrated hardware security module (HSM) offering hardware key management and cryptographic acceleration for unrivalled security and performance. The multi-level authentication policies control access to the Luna's administrative functions to provide the highest degree of protection for sensitive cryptographic keys and prevent unauthorized system configuration changes while still permitting flexible remote management and monitoring. The FIPS 140-2 validated product is capable of over 1,200 operations per second, significantly more than the competition and can offer optional standalone authentication to protect the most demanding security applications. Since the Luna product stores content to an encryption keys, it is an ideal solution for securing financial transactions and sensitive database stored information, such as banking personal identification numbers. About the HSPD-12 Mandate On August 27, 2004, in response to the general threat of unauthorized access to physical facilities and logical IT assets, the White House issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12). The primary objectives of HSPD-12 are the development and deployment of a federal government-wide common and reliable identification verification system that will be interoperable between all Government agencies and serve as the basis for reciprocity between those agencies. HSPD-12 mandates that all federal employees and contractors need to use a smartcard as identification badges for physical access and logical access to IT resources. The mandate is divided up into two parts called Personal Identity Verification parts 1 & 2 (i.e.; PIV 1/PIV 2). PIV 1 established a methodology across the federal agencies to properly vet a person's ID. It includes fingerprint checking with the FBI and mandatory background checks for all federal employees and contractors. It establishes a baseline that all agencies need to follow to ensure their employees are who they say they are. PIV 2 takes newly established identities and binds them cryptographically to a smartcard. About SafeNet, Inc. SafeNet is a global leader in information security. Founded more than 20 years ago, the company provides complete security utilizing its encryption technologies to protect communications, intellectual property and digital identities, and offers a full spectrum of products including hardware, software, and chips. UBS, Nokia, Fujitsu, Hitachi, ARM, Bank of America, NetGear, the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, Adobe, Samsung, Texas Instruments, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and scores of other customers entrust their security needs to SafeNet. For more information, visit www.safenet-inc.com "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 The statements contained in this release, which are not historical facts, are 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 are subject to uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are included but are not limited to those listed in SafeNet's periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update information concerning its expectations. Editor's Note: SafeNet is a registered trademark of SafeNet, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.