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The companies seek synergy in PKI security technology

Smart card solution provider Setec and information security company SSH Communications Security today announced that they have signed an agreement of cooperation in the field of sales, marketing and product development. The aim is to combine the companies’ expertise in PKI technology and information security software in order to be able to offer complete information security solutions for end-users.

The cooperation is first focused in sales and marketing. Setec will provide SSH PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) smart cards and card readers to be included in SSH´s product marketing. Setec´s smart cards are also used as part of SSH Complete VPN™ Virtual Private Network (VPN) solution.

Furthermore, the companies aim at finding new business opportunities via product development cooperation. Setec’s expertise in high security PKI smart cards and applications together with SSH´s strength at encryption and PKI solutions complement each other. The companies’ goal is to ensure that their products are compatible with each other already in the product development stage.

The smart card has a vital role in information security

The smart card is vital for information security, as it eases and secures the use of applications requiring user identification. The user critical RSA encryption keys and certificates are saved within the smart card and are handled only inside the card. The user operates the card with PIN codes, so no separate login or passwords are needed.

The smart card supports the security and usability of all SSH´s information security products. In SSH’s products, the smart card is either a fixed part of the system or an additional feature. For example, the SSH Certifier PKI solution administers the certificates within the smart card. In the new SSH Complete VPN product, the smart card is used innovatively to speed up the implementation and administration of the service.

According to Lauri Pesonen, CTO of Setec, the cooperation with SSH offers Setec a strong marketing channel for PKI smart cards. Several IT companies and system integrators have licensed SSH´s products. SSH has a strong market position especially in the USA, where the PKI market is estimated to grow the most rapidly in the near future. Datamonitor expects the whole PKI market to reach the value of 3,5 million dollars by 2006.

SSH´s CEO Markku Kangas states that smart cards are becoming a fundamental part of information security technology, with which corporations can strengthen and ease the use of IT security."Setec´s smart cards and SSH´s IT security products comply with each other very well. We are very keen on further developing the cooperation with Setec, which is a leading company in the smart card industry", he says.

For further information, please contact:

Setec CFO and executive vice president Lauri Pesonen Tel. +358 9 89411, mobile +358 40 5007032

SSH Communications Security CEO Markku Kangas Tel. +358 20 500 7400, mobile +358 400 400 520

About Setec Oy

Setec is a leading provider of smart card based solutions for secure electronic transactions in open networks. Setec focuses on high-end smart cards with enhanced security, such as the PKI. The group is operating on a global basis with leading telecom operators, banks and public authorities as the major customer segments. Setec Group has operations in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Singapore and Thailand. The turnover of the year 2000 amounted to EUR 51,8 million and the company employed 450 people. www.setec.fi

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