Oberthur Card Systems and HID Global Announce FIPS 201 Certified ``Tri-Interface Card''; Becomes First Smart Card Provider to Have Multi-Application PIV II Certified Card

LOS ANGELES & CHANTILLY, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 20, 2006--Oberthur Card Systems, one of the leading smart card suppliers to the Government ID Market, has partnered with HID Global to produce the first fully FIPS 201 certified card (FIPS 201 Certificate #1 and NIST FIPS 140-2 Certificate #668) with HID Prox Technology. HID is a leading supplier of contactless access control cards and readers, and other security products for corporations and governments globally. Using HID's technology, the card can support either HID 125 kHz Prox or Indala 125 kHz Prox, which provides a more secure solution. With this development, organizations now have a commercial solution that allows interoperability with an existing physical access control installation base while allowing a smooth transition to implement the requirements of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12.

"This development is another example of how Oberthur Card Systems identifies market needs and deploys a commercially proven solution. By having already tested this product in a live customer environment, backed by our existing commercial deployments in the government market space, any agency or organization will be confident of buying such products today," said Patrick W. Hearn, Director, Government and ID Markets of Oberthur Card Systems' American division.

“In addition, Oberthur Card Systems' personalization presence throughout the continental U.S. provides a competitive advantage for rapid national deployment.”

Oberthur Card Systems is the only company in the U.S. to offer an identification solution that couples smart card manufacturing with card personalization, carrier attachment and activation services, as well as the exclusive rights to the card software applets. Additionally, Oberthur Card Systems' government smart card products are manufactured and personalized in the United States in ISO certified environments, a significant advantage for agencies looking for a shared services provider of ID credentialing.

"This specific smart card product will make a great addition to our TotalIDOne solution. It can be applied to a variety of identification needs such as First Responders, Transportation Workers and Registered Travelers, the Corporate Market, and with our vertical integration capabilities, we have a complete centralized ID management package, which is a critical need for many enterprises today," Hearn continued. "In addition, Oberthur Card Systems' personalization presence throughout the continental U.S. provides a competitive advantage for rapid national deployment."

About Oberthur Card Systems

With sales of 500.8 million Euros in 2005, Oberthur Card Systems is one of the world's leading providers of card-based solutions, software and applications, including SIM and multi-application smart cards, as well as services ranging from consulting to personalization.

Innovative products, security expertise and high quality services ensure Oberthur Card Systems' strong positioning in its main target markets:

-- Payment & Services: 53% of 2005 revenues. World leader and number one supplier of Visa and MasterCard payment cards

-- Mobile Communications: 32% of 2005 revenues, with open and interoperable solutions based on Java(TM) technology

-- Identity: strong positions in ID projects throughout the world

-- Multimedia: leading position in the Pay-TV market with an end-to-end expertise in the value chain: software development, manufacturing and personalization

-- Transit: focus in the high-end segment with a microprocessor-based offer

Close to its customers, the company benefits from an industrial and commercial presence across all five continents. Listed on the Euronext Stock Exchange (ISIN: FR0000124133) since July 2000, Oberthur Card Systems is a subsidiary of the Francois-Charles Oberthur Group.

For more information, visit www.oberthurcs.com.

About HID

HID is a leading supplier and manufacturer in the access control industry, serving customers worldwide with proximity and contactless smart card technologies; central station managed access controllers; secure and custom card solutions; digital identity and photo card management software solutions; and electronic cylinders. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., HID operates international offices that support more than 100 countries and is a member of ASSA ABLOY Global Technologies Division. To learn more, please visit www.hidcorp.com.