Saflink Announces FIPS 201 Evaluation Lab
All-Weather Biometric PIV Solution showcased with Johnson Controls in the Company’s Reston, Virginia, Lab
BELLEVUE, WA – (January 24, 2006) Saflink® Corporation (NASDAQ:SFLK), a leading provider of solutions for secure access, identity assurance and productivity, today announced the opening of a PIV evaluation lab in its Reston, Virginia, office to showcase a Physical Access Control (PAC) solution. The lab will feature a new Saflink all-weather, smart card and biometric reader designed for compliance with the National Institute of Standards and Technologies’ (NIST) Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 201, also known as Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors. The Saflink reader is the first solution in the company’s new PIV compliant product line. The evaluation lab utilizes the P2000 Security Management System from Johnson Controls, Inc. (NYSE: JCI), in conjunction with the Saflink reader, to demonstrate a complete end-to-end PAC solution.
“Government entities and government-facing commercial organizations are keenly aware of the need to meet the strict security requirements of FIPS 201,” said Steve Thompson, Director of Marketing for Fire and Security, Johnson Controls. “Saflink’s reader and its seamless integration with our P2000 Security Management System will enable organizations to achieve compliance and prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining access to secure sites. Due to the growing demand for this type of PIV compliant security, we too are creating a showcase to demonstrate the technology in the Johnson Controls Gaithersburg, Maryland, office.”
As a result of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), government organizations are required to adopt new processes for verifying the identity of employees and contractors as well as controlling access to secure facilities and information systems. In response to the strict requirements set forth by the federal government, Saflink has developed a smart card and biometric reader designed specifically to bring federal facilities into compliance with PIV requirements. The Saflink reader and a security management system, such as the Johnson Controls P2000, adds the required assurance of the cardholder’s identity.
“Verifying someone’s identity at physical access points within the federal government is a critical initiative,” said Glenn Argenbright, CEO of Saflink. “Saflink’s new FIPS 201 evaluation lab demonstrates our leadership in developing solutions that allow government organizations to increase physical access security. The lab further illustrates Saflink’s ability to take concepts – like PIV – and make them easily deployable.”
The technology is based on the contactless smart card and biometric reader platform previously deployed by Saflink for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. The deployment tested a uniform biometrically enabled access control credential for transportation workers. The State of Florida is utilizing this platform to control physical access to the state’s deepwater seaports as part of the Florida Seaport Gate Control System.
If you’re interested in a demonstration at the Saflink FIPS 201 evaluation lab in Reston, Virginia, please contact Saflink at 703-547-0400.
About Johnson Controls, Inc.
Johnson Controls is a global leader in interior experience, building efficiency and power solutions. The company provides innovative automotive interiors that help make driving more comfortable, safe and enjoyable. For buildings, it offers products and services that optimize energy use and improve comfort and security. Johnson Controls also provides batteries for automobiles and hybrid electric vehicles, along with systems engineering and service expertise. Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), founded in 1885, is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For additional information, please visit www.johnsoncontrols.com.
About Saflink
Saflink Corporation offers biometric security and smart card solutions that protect intellectual property, secure information assets and eliminate passwords. Saflink Identity Assurance Management solutions allow administrators to verify identity and control access to computer networks, physical facilities and applications. Winner of six awards in 2005, Saflink and its solutions have been recognized by organizations such as Frost & Sullivan and Software Magazine’s Software 500. For more information, please visit http://www.saflink.com or call 800-762-9595.
NOTE: “Saflink” is a registered trademark of Saflink Corporation. Johnson Controls is a registered trademark of Johnson Controls, Inc.
This release contains information about management’s view of the company’s future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from historical results or those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. For example, our reliance on third party technologies for some specific technology elements of our solutions and our reliance on third parties for manufacturing could impair our ability to develop and deliver products or hurt our ability to compete in the market. In addition, despite our product testing efforts and testing by current and potential customers, it is possible that errors will be found in new products or enhancements after commencement of commercial shipments. The occurrence of product defects or errors could result in adverse publicity, delay in product introduction, diversion of resources to remedy defects, loss of or a delay in market acceptance, or claims by customers against us, or could cause us to incur additional costs, any of which could adversely affect our business. Other risks and uncertainties include those associated with our financial condition, our ability to sell products, our ability to maintain the proprietary nature of our technology and our intellectual property, our ability to compete with competitors and the growth of the security market, and those detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as other documents we periodically file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We encourage you to read those documents.
Saflink PRESS CONTACT:
Sterling Communications
Lindsay Stril
(253) 853-5030
lstril@sterlingpr.com
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
Investor Awareness, Inc.
Tony Schor
(847) 945-2222
tony@investorawareness.com