--- begin forwarded text Date: Mon, 13 Oct 1997 18:48:39 -0400 From: Robert Hettinga <rah@shipwright.com> Reply-To: rah@shipwright.com MIME-Version: 1.0 To: rah-web <rah@shipwright.com> Subject: Public Key Smart Card http://www.businesswire.com:80/cgi-bin/sr_headline.sh?/bw.101397/501100 [(c) 1997 Business Wire | www.businesswire.com] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- BW1111 OCT 13,1997 5:29 PACIFIC 08:29 EASTERN ( BW)(GEMPLUS) Gemplus Announces Availability Of GPK4000, Public Key Smart Card Business Editors MONTGOMERYVILLE, Penn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 13, 1997-- First Smart Card To Combine Digital Signature, On-Board Key Generation, and Electronic Payment With Multi-Application Functionality Gemplus today announced the availability of GPK4000, the first public key smart card to combine digital signature, on-board key generation, and electronic payment with multi-application functionality. The GPK4000 smart card, with its advanced cryptographic co-processor, can be used to secure Internet, intranet and extranet transactions in such applications as electronic commerce and computer security. GPK4000 features full cryptographic functionality, including 1024-bit RSA-based digital signature at sub-second speed and 4 Kbytes of application memory. Additionally, it provides an on-board key generation mechanism that ensures that the private component of the public key that performs the cardholder's digital signature is never seen outside the card. GPK4000 keys, whether generated internally or loaded by the issuer, can be certified by any certification authority through the card's ability to store industry-standard X.500 certificates in the card's memory. The card has also been specifically designed to strengthen the security of Web sites that rely on the SSL3 protocol for mutual authentication of client and Web server. "We are pleased that industry leader Gemplus has chosen RSAs industry leading technology for their high-quality, high- performance smart card," said Jim Bidzos, president of RSA Data Security, Inc. "RSA is considered to be the most trusted encryption available, whether for Web browsers or smart cards. When it comes to applications of smart cards such as electronic cash or personal identity, there is no such thing as too much security. Users can use these smart cards with the greatest of confidence." Gemplus GPK4000 cards will be used in the upcoming version 2.0 release of ImagineCard, the only complete security solution for both corporate applications and Web services, jointly developed by Hewlett-Packard, Informix and Gemplus. "The additional capabilities of Gemplus GPK4000 enable our customers to deploy more comprehensive smart card applications based on ImagineCard solutions," said Christian Roy, general manager of HP Enterprise Networking and Security Division. "Through ImagineCard and the strength of Gemplus GPK4000 card, HP meets its commitment to bring the benefits of smart cards to support the extended enterprises business processes." "Authentication is a necessary component for the widespread adoption of electronic commerce," said Anil Pereira, director of corporate marketing for VeriSign. "VeriSign Digital Ids stored on Gemplus GPK4000 smart cards provide Internet and corporate network users with a convenient, portable method for secure access to online resources and a trusted, proven solution to participate in secure communications and online payments." Gemplus Public Key Cards GPK4000 is the second in a line of Gemplus public key smart cards for securing Internet, intranet and extranet services. The GPK2000 card, with 512- and 768-bit key lengths was announced in 1996. The GPK (Gemplus Public Key) family will continue to be enhanced, with future versions including more memory and additional functionality. The GPK card range is compliant with ISO7816-1, -2, -3, -4 and is EMV compatible. GPK4000 features a suite of developer algorithms, including RSA, DSA/DSS, DES, Triple-DES, MD5 and SHA1. GPK Developers Kit The GPK Developers Kit enables developers to prototype applications. It includes: -- PILOT GPK, Windows-based software for rapid application development and personalization; -- A card reader (GCR410) with RS232 serial port connection; -- Sample GPK4000 cards; and -- A reference manual and application notes. About Gemplus Gemplus Corporation is the North American subsidiary of Gemplus Group, the world's leading producer of magnetic stripe and smart cards. It manufactures and sells memory cards, microprocessor cards (both contact and contactless), magnetic stripe cards, as well as electronic tags. It also designs and markets software, terminals and systems; and provides personalization, consultancy and training services to offer its customers comprehensive solutions. In 1996, Gemplus Group's total sales were $440 million. By the end of 1997, the company will have a production capacity of 900 million plastic and smart cards. Gemplus sells its products worldwide for such applications as public and cellular telephony, financial transactions, loyalty, transportation, education, healthcare, gaming, identity, access control, pay TV, security for computer networks and electronic commerce. Information about Gemplus' products and services can be found on the World Wide Web at: http://www.gemplus.com. -0- All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. --30--kdb/ny* CONTACT: Dr. Patricia Neptune Neptune Group International Inc. (203)221-2820 or pneptune@neptunegp.com KEYWORD: PENNSYLVANIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED PRODUCT Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet with Hyperlinks to your home page. URL: http://www.businesswire.com [Image] --- end forwarded text ----------------- Robert Hettinga (rah@shipwright.com), Philodox e$, 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' The e$ Home Page: http://www.shipwright.com/ Ask me about FC98 in Anguilla!: <http://www.fc98.ai/>