New authentication device to tackle online transaction security with superior convenience

Ezio Plug & Sign is a truly zero footprint device, and enables new services

With Ezio Plug & Sign integrity is assured even if the platform of connection has been compromised

AUSTIN, TX, November 2, 2011–Gemalto, the world leader in digital security, today launches the Ezio Plug & Sign, the pioneering corporate banking device that tackles automated clearing house (ACH) and wire transfer fraud. Ezio Plug & Sign is a truly zero footprint device. It provides a secure web browser for online banking, also called a “safe zone”, to overcome the inherent risks of an open online environment. This capability in addition provides the ability to extend the services that can be offered to the users, including secure email, secure electronic bank account management and secure statement viewing.

Easy to use – the user simply plugs the USB device into any computer, launching by doing so a safe online portal that permits to review, approve and sign all types and volumes of banking transactions without risk. With Ezio Plug & Sign corporate users and consumers can safely log into any online banking session and be assured of the session integrity even if the platform they connect from has been compromised.

“Wire transfer and ACH fraud are on the rise, and many corporate banking customers, including small-to-medium businesses, schools and non-profits, are unprotected,” said Adam Dolby, Gemalto eBanking manager for the Americas. “In the U.S. alone, the FBI is already investigating more than 400 cases of ACH and wire transfer fraud resulting in losses of approximately $85 million. Ezio Plug & Sign is the only product on the market that answers this problem, and it does so in a quick, easy and elegant solution for banks and their customers.”

PKI-ready, Ezio Plug & Sign integrates a smart card secure microprocessor and operating system, and is built on Gemalto’s Ezio technology already used by more than 40 million bank customers worldwide. This upgradeable, multi-application platform can be remotely managed, enabling banks to update certificates and deploy new services and applications without the need for new hardware. Gemalto can deliver a complete solution that also includes full provisioning of the devices to corporate users and consumers, and professional services to customize the branding of the applications. Ezio Plug & Sign provides a positive, consistent, safe banking experience to users, which reduces the need for helpdesk support, saving time and cost for the bank.

Available now for the North American markets, Ezio Plug & Sign is fully IdenTrust compliant and can help U.S. banks comply with recent FFIEC guidelines.

“Combining IdenTrust’s globally interoperable digital identities with the zero footprint Ezio Plug&Sign, creates a more efficient, user-friendly solution, while providing the highest level of fraud mitigation available for online transactions. It’s an important advancement in the space, and one we are proud to be a part of.”–added Karen J. Wendel, Chief Executive Officer, IdenTrust.

About Gemalto

Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO) is the world leader in digital security with 2010 annual revenues of €1.9 billion and over 10,000 employees operating out of 87 offices and 13 Research & Development centers in 45 countries.

Gemalto is at the heart of our evolving digital society. Billions of people worldwide increasingly want the freedom to communicate, travel, shop, bank, entertain, and work–anytime, anywhere, in ways that are convenient, enjoyable and secure. Gemalto delivers on the growing demands for personal mobile services, identity protection, payment security, authenticated online services, cloud computing access, modern transportation, e-healthcare and e-government services. Gemalto does this by providing secure software, a wide range of secure personal devices, and managed services to wireless operators, banks, enterprises and government agencies.

Gemalto is the world leader for electronic passports and identity cards, two-factor authentication devices for online protection, smart credit/debit and contactless payment cards, as well as subscriber identification modules (SIM) and universal integrated circuit cards (UICC) in mobile phones. Also, in the emerging machine-to-machine applications Gemalto is a leading supplier of wireless modules and machine identification modules (MIM). To operate these solutions and remotely manage the software and confidential data contained in the secure devices Gemalto also provides server platforms, consulting, training, and managed services to help its customers achieve their goals.

As the use of Gemalto’s software and secure devices increases with the number of people interacting in the digital and wireless world, the Company is poised to thrive over the coming years.

For more information visit http://www.gemalto.com, http://www.justaskgemalto.com, http://blog.gemalto.com, or follow @gemalto on Twitter.

Gemalto Media Contacts

Jessi Marshall
North America
+1 512 257 3902
jessi.marshall@gemalto.com

Peggy Edoire
Europe, Middle East & Africa
+33 4 42 36 45 40
peggy.edoire@gemalto.com

Ernesto Haikewitsch
Latin America
+55 11 5105 9220
ernesto.haikewitsch@gemalto.com

Yvonne Lim
Asia Pacific
+65 6317 3730
Yvonne.lim@gemalto.com