FREMONT, CA, October 28, 2003–ActivCard® (NASDAQ: ACTI), a leading global provider of Secure Digital Identity and Authentication solutions for secure remote access, secure sign-on and digital ID cards, today announced that William Crowell has been appointed Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Mr. Crowell joined the ActivCard Board of Directors in March 2003. He previously served as a Deputy Director of the United States National Security Agency (NSA), and most recently was President and Chief Executive Officer of Cylink Corporation until its acquisition in February 2003 by SafeNet, Inc. Mr. Crowell brings in-depth government experience as well as a strong background in IT security and defense-related technologies to ActivCard–strengthening the Company’s leadership as a trusted digital identity solution provider for enterprises and governments around the world.

About William Crowell

William P. Crowell is an independent consultant and expert in security and intelligence systems. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Cylink Corporation, a Santa Clara, California-based leading provider of network security solutions, until its acquisition in February 2003 by SafeNet, Inc., a leader in VPN technology. Mr. Crowell came to Cylink from the NSA, where he held a series of senior executive positions, including Deputy Director of Operations and Deputy Director of the Agency.

In March 2002, Mr. Crowell was appointed to The Markle Foundation Task Force on National Security in the Information Age, which published a landmark study of the information technology and policy needs for Homeland Security. He was also appointed to the Silicon Valley Blue Ribbon Task Force on Aviation Security and Technology, which published a report that identified and evaluated technology-driven solutions to improve the security and efficiency of national and local aviation.

Mr. Crowell also serves as a director for Broadware Technologies, an Internet streaming-video company, and as a director of ArcSight, Inc., an enterprise security management software company. He was recently appointed to the Unisys Security Advisory Board to address emerging security issues and best practices–advising on challenges and business benefits of identity management as an initial project.

About ActivCard

ActivCard, http://www.activcard.com, is a leading global provider of Secure Digital Identity and Authentication solutions for secure remote access, secure sign-on and digital ID card solutions. Our scalable systems and strong authentication solutions are trusted by organizations–from enterprise to governments around the world. ActivCard delivers maximum Return On Identity™ (ROI) through increased security, reduced cost, and user convenience. The modular product design allows our customers to add capabilities as required, preserving their investment.

The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with fluctuations in operating results, our history of losses, the concentration of our customer base, our reliance on strategic relationships, acquisitions and managing our future growth, and other risks identified in our periodic filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to those appearing under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on form 10K filed on March 31, 2003, and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10Q filed on August 14, 2003.

Actual results, events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. ActivCard disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. ActivCard is a registered trademark, and Return on Identity is a trademark of ActivCard in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners in the United States and/or other countries.

Contacts

ActivCard Corporate
Julie White
Tel: +1 (510) 574 1708
jwhite@activcard.com

The Merritt Group
Tom Rice
Tel: +1 (703) 748-3482
rice@merrittgrp.com

Consort PR
Tony Bovill
Tel: +44 1344 626171
[email protected]