WinMagic® and UPEK® Partner to Provide Fingerprint Authentication for the SecureDoc End Point Data Protection Suite

Millions of UPEK-enabled notebook computer and peripheral users can now benefit from the security and convenience of fingerprint authentication within an enterprise-class data protection platform

San Francisco, CA, (RSA Conference 2008) April 7, 2008 – WinMagic, a leader in end point data protection, and UPEK, the global leader in enterprise and consumer biometric fingerprint solutions, announce that SecureDoc data protection software now supports UPEK fingerprint authentication. The companies’ integrated solution is being demonstrated – for the first time – at the RSA Conference 2008 (WinMagic’s booth #2425 and UPEK’s booth #2003).

Enterprise businesses and government organizations face significant risks and penalties when laptops or portable storage media, containing valuable data assets or personal identifiable information (PII), go missing. SecureDoc’s comprehensive end point data protection suite safeguards proprietary information and PII stored on mobile computers and portable media. With added support for UPEK fingerprint authentication, SecureDoc raises the stakes for both security and end user convenience, while reducing IT support costs.

“Encryption and authentication are the primary controls for securing access to sensitive data,” said Thi Nguyen-Huu CEO of WinMagic. “However, we know from experience that users will circumvent these controls if they are intrusive or impede productivity,” Nguyen-Huu continued. “Our partnership with UPEK illustrates our commitment to provide enterprise customers with the most easy-to-use, easy-to-manage data protection solutions.”

SecureDoc supports the UPEK biometric authentication sensors that come standard in over 75 different notebook computer models, as well as UPEK’s award-winning Eikon® USB peripherals. Eikon peripherals come in two convenient form factors – one designed for desktop computers, and a second portable model designed for mobile computer users.

“The strong market need for end point data security solutions, and the widespread availability of fingerprint-enabled notebooks and peripherals, makes this integrated offering especially valuable to customers,” said Robert Blau, UPEK General Manager and Vice President. “With today’s announcement, the enterprise data that resides in millions of mobile computers can be securely and conveniently protected with the simple swipe of a finger.”

“Our newest benchmark report on user authentication confirms that enhancing security often has the unintended consequence of making logon less convenient for end users,” said Derek E. Brink, Vice President and Research Director for IT Security, Aberdeen Group. “By enabling users to authenticate using fingerprint technology before the operating system boots, and – if policy requires – any time they seek access to encrypted data, the integration between UPEK and SecureDoc is designed to address both convenience and security.”

About WinMagic

WinMagic, the innovative leader in end point data protection, provides the world’s most secure, manageable and easy-to-use data encryption solutions. Compatible with all editions of Microsoft Windows Vista, XP, and 2000 as well as Mac and Linux platforms, WinMagic’s SecureDoc protects sensitive personal information and proprietary data stored on laptops, PDAs and portable media, such as USB drives and CD/DVDs. Enterprise and government organizations around the world depend on SecureDoc to minimize business risks, meet privacy and regulatory compliance requirements, and protect valuable information assets. With a full complement of professional and customer services, WinMagic supports over three million SecureDoc users in 43 countries. For more information, please visit www.winmagic.com, call 1-888-879-5879 or e-mail us at info {at} winmagic(.)com.

About UPEK

UPEK, Inc. is the global leader in enterprise and consumer fingerprint authentication solutions. UPEK authentication hardware and software are integrated into laptops from the world’s top five largest PC makers, as well as USB flash drives, external hard disk drives, and mobile phones from leading manufacturers. UPEK’s ecosystem of over 100 hardware and software partners enables strong authentication solutions for market verticals including healthcare, banking, education, and government. UPEK offers the only silicon-based fingerprint device that is FIPS 201 certified for authentication of over 10 million US government employees and contractors. UPEK also provides consumer packaged goods including the CES award-winning Eikon Digital Privacy Manager, the only fingerprint reader on the market that supports PCs and Macs. UPEK products make your digital world safe and personal. For more info, visit www.upek.com.

Michael O’Keeffe
Communication Strategies, Inc.
High-Tech Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations
66 Riverview Gardens, Suite 100
Toronto, Ontario M6S 4E5
Canada
Telephone: (416) 760-0100
Fax: (416) 760-0090
E-mail: mokeeffe {at} comstratpr(.)com