VISGE Viisage Technology (MM)

Viisage (Nasdaq: VISGE), a leading provider of advanced technology identity solutions, announced today that in partnership with GET Group through its company in Oman "Almadina Development & Supply", a large systems integrator in the Middle East, the Company has won a contract with the Sultanate of Oman to help secure Oman's borders using the Viisage iA-thenticate(R) document authentication solution. After rigorous evaluation of competitive alternatives, Oman selected Viisage based on the strength of the technology and the Company's track record with existing customers. The Viisage document authentication solution will be deployed at all major border control points, including airports, seaports and land borders, to verify the identity documents of travelers entering and exiting the country. Oman's selection of Viisage follows shortly after the Bahrain Ministry of Interior and Immigration selected the Viisage iA-thenticate solution for individuals entering the country at Bahrain airport. This system is a natural fit for countries seeking advanced technology solutions for automated authentication of either non biometric enabled passports, or for currently deployed e-passports which contain a smartchip with biometric data using the secure basic access control protocol. Automated document authentication provides the broadest form of document validation for countries today. As countries move to develop their electronic passport programs, the Viisage iA-thenticate solution can support both radio frequency ID (RFID) read of the chip on an e-passport, as well as authentication of non e-passports. Such border management initiatives as the US VISIT, a US Department of Homeland Security program designed to enhance national security and promote legitimate travel, mandate the eventual adoption of biometrically enabled e-passports. The need to authenticate both forms of passports through the use of this automated technology will provide the necessary security for borders around the world. "Like many countries in the Middle East and around the world, the Sultanate of Oman recognizes the need to provide secure international travel while also ensuring the safety of their citizens and addressing the global problem of identity theft and fraud," said Bernard Bailey, president and CEO of Viisage. "Our document authentication technology provides significant benefit in any basic access control solution and we believe more countries like Oman will adopt this technology." The Viisage iA-thenticate system scans and automatically authenticates identity documents such as passports and visas, using multiple light sources that reveal the expected security features in authentic identity documents. The technology provides authorities with critical information to validate that a person is who he or she claims to be. The automation of this process frees authorities from complex training on detecting fraudulent documents and provides advanced security for border management applications without slowing down the flow of travel. This unique solution utilizes the largest database of its kind for secure document templates from around the world making it a robust tool in the fight against identity fraud. This solution is currently deployed in multiple border applications globally. About Viisage Viisage (NASDAQ: VISGE) delivers advanced technology identity solutions for governments, law enforcement agencies and businesses concerned with enhancing security, reducing identity theft, and protecting personal privacy. Viisage solutions include secure credentials such as passports and drivers' licenses, biometric technologies for uniquely linking individuals to those credentials, and credential authentication technologies to ensure the documents are valid before individuals are allowed to cross borders, gain access to finances, or granted other privileges. With over 3,000 installations worldwide, Viisage's identity solutions stand out as a result of the Company's industry-leading technology and unique understanding of customer needs. Viisage's product suite includes FaceTOOLS(R) SDK, Viisage PROOF(TM), FaceEXPLORER(R), iA-thenticate(R), BorderGuard(R), FacePASS(TM) and FaceFINDER(R). This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this document and those made from time to time by Viisage through its senior management are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to the future events or financial performance discussed in this release, based on management's beliefs and assumptions and information currently available. When used, the words "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "project", "should", "expect", "plan", "assume" and similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements concerning future plans or results are necessarily only estimates and actual results could differ materially from expectations. Certain factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among other things, the size and timing of contract awards, performance on contracts, availability and cost of key components, unanticipated results from audits of the financial results of the Company and acquired companies, changing interpretations of generally accepted accounting principles, outcomes of government reviews, potential fluctuations in quarterly results, dependence on large contracts and a limited number of customers, lengthy sales and implementation cycles, market acceptance of new or enhanced products and services, proprietary technology and changing competitive conditions, system performance, management of growth, dependence on key personnel, ability to obtain project financing, general economic and political conditions and other factors affecting spending by customers, the unpredictable nature of working with government agencies and other risks, uncertainties and factors including those described from time to time in Viisage's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, Viisage's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Viisage expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.