01/31 0936 ( BW)(TELEQUIP) Business Editors HOLLIS, N.H. (JAN. 31) BUSINESS WIRE - January 31, 1994--Telequip Corp. today announced the first available PCMCIA compatible flash memory card with high-level embedded security functions. The credit card sized Crypta Plus is targeted at companies implementing secure tokens for mobile computer users. These tokens will allow users to conveniently communicate and access confidential data across public computer and telecommunications networks. Industry experts predict widespread use of secure tokens for corporate and customer communications, database access, electronic funds transfer, defense and government programs, and any other activity involving confidential electronic information transfer. Sales professionals will be able to travel with proprietary information and communicate securely with the home office. Physicians will be able to use tokens, loaded with patient files, to perform rounds, order tests and even write prescriptions that can be signed with a digital signature. It will be possible to process and pay insurance claims directly from the field. Mobile computer users will conveniently carry and securely communicate large amounts of confidential information. Crypta Plus cards have up to 20 Megabytes of solid-state, nonvolatile memory and require no batteries. The memory capacity will increase in conjunction with technological advancements in the flash chip industry. The patent- pending card consists of a data storage unit, storage-access locking circuitry, and a tamper-proof key information substorage unit in the form of a smartcard integrated circuit. A stored program within the smart card integrated circuit allows an access password to be programmed directly into the silicon from an external source. The locking circuitry prevents access to the data stored on the memory card unless the user inputs the identifying password. The smartcard integrated circuit can be used to perform cryptographic functions, including digital signatures. It also provides secure storage for the keys necessary to perform those functions. The Crypta Plus card satisfies three vital needs of mobile computer users: o It can securely store private information in a compact, easily transportable storage device. o It protects electronically stored data against unauthorized access if theCrypta Plus card is lost or stolen. o It makes cryptographic functions and secure key storage readily availableto allow protection and authentication of data being sent to remote sites. Several important technology trends have converged to make the development of the Crypta Plus card possible. The PCMCIA standard has been swiftly adopted by the industry leaders in personal computing. This allows the Crypta Plus card to operate cross-platform in most mobile computing devices. The explosive implementation of distributed networks and wireless communication now makes data security a vital tool for insuring and protecting personal and corporate interests. The rapid growth of Public-key cryptography and digital signature standards is creating secure environments for access, transmission and authentication of private information. Along with U.S. Government standards for digital signatures and encryption, Telequip will embed RSA, the popular Public-key cryptosystem into the Crypta Plus card. "We're excited about Telequip's Crypta Plus technology - it's a perfect match for distributed, robust security systems such as RSA," said Jim Bidzos, president of RSA Data Security Inc. The Crypta Plus card will also fully comply to the soon-to-be published PKCS 11 specification, which will be the first open, published standard for use of Public-key cryptography with tokens and smart cards. PKCS, or the Public Key Cryptography Standards, were established early in 1991 by a consortium of RSA Data Security and its major licensees, including Microsoft, Apple, Sun, Lotus, Digital, National Semiconductor, and many others. The backing of the PKCS consortium members will make PKCS 11 the most important standard for secure tokens and smartcards in the world. Michael F. Jones, president of Telequip Corp., points out that "Public-key cryptography and digital signatures are central to the future of electronic commerce. These techniques depend on successfully keeping the private key and its operations secure. The company believes the Crypta Plus card is an ideal personal token for performing private-key operations and implementing cross-platform security. It can be thought of as a portable object in which data, applications and security all travel together in one convenient package. Users will carry Crypta Plus cards with them to run applications, store data, configure systems, sign documents and access network resources." --30--ed/bos CONTACT: Telequip Corp. Greg Dunne, 603/881-5616