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Phoenix Technologies Ltd. and Cogent Systems Partner to Create First Biometric Solution Tied to Core System Security; Partnership Will Offer Stronger Multifactor Authentication and Enhanced Security
MILPITAS, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Sept. 19, 2005 -- Phoenix Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:PTEC) and Cogent Systems (Nasdaq:COGT) today announced an agreement to jointly develop and market an integrated biometric solution that will tie Cogent software directly to Phoenix TrustedCore(TM) system software. To date, biometric security solutions have focused on using a biometric reader and software as a password device, post-boot of the operating system. Tying the biometric reader to the core system software provides for significantly stronger multifactor authentication and enhanced security. The partnership of two industry leaders is designed to bring superior end-to-end security products and solutions to the government and enterprise markets.
The Phoenix and Cogent offering will deliver a security solution for both system builders developing new products and IT professionals addressing security needs for their current installed base. The client-side software will be compatible with both integrated biometric devices and USB peripheral readers. Phoenix and Cogent expect the first set of products to be available before the end of this calendar year.
The biometric software developed by industry leader Cogent will tie in with Phoenix's device identification software that provides greater network security than solely basing authentication on the user. Device identification provided by Phoenix's TrustConnector -- when combined with the biometric software -- creates a truly multifactor authentication process that goes beyond user authentication.
In addition, Phoenix and Cogent will work together to establish an industry body that will promote standards for biometric sensors. Phoenix and Cogent intend to invite other industry leaders to participate in defining the standards in an effort to promote and expedite the adoption of biometric technology, and foster stronger end-to-end security objectives and innovation.
"Biometrics is a natural extension of Phoenix's core business. Working with an industry leader like Cogent furthers Phoenix's commitment to endpoint security and the open industry standards that have always driven competition and innovation," said Albert Sisto, president and CEO, Phoenix Technologies Ltd. "We see this as a means to further our longstanding expertise in securing digital devices at the root of trust and as a means to provide truly secure network endpoints."
"We are pleased to partner with Phoenix and believe this partnership is a significant step toward offering enterprise and government customers unique solutions that address many of the current concerns about network security," commented Ming Hseih, chief executive officer of Cogent Systems. "Moving forward, we expect to see further potential applications for Cogent's technology in the commercial market."
About Cogent Systems
Cogent Systems is a leading provider of Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems, or AFIS, and other fingerprint biometric solutions to governments, law enforcement agencies and other organizations worldwide. Cogent's AFIS solutions enable customers to capture fingerprint images electronically, encode fingerprints into searchable files and accurately compare a set of fingerprints to a database containing potentially millions of fingerprints in seconds.
About Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
Phoenix Technologies Ltd. develops a complete product suite of Core System Software, tools and applications to deliver trusted, seamless computing to digital devices for an Internet-connected world. Phoenix Technologies Ltd. helped launch the PC industry nearly 25 years ago. Today, the company is extending its leadership and knowledge at the core of machines, beyond the PC to a wide range of platforms and devices.
Phoenix Core System Software has set the standard for the world's leading branded PC OEMs and their global network of supply chain and software partners. Today, Phoenix solutions define, identify and restore the world's best-known systems. These solutions are built into the device core, where they are protected from viruses, user errors, hackers, and corruption. Phoenix is headquartered in Milpitas, Calif. (Silicon Valley), with offices in global business and technology centers. For more information, visit www.phoenix.com.
Phoenix, Phoenix Technologies, the Phoenix Technologies logo, TrustedCore and TrustConnector are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's current estimates and expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Cogent and Phoenix are providing this information as of the date of this press release, and expressly disclaim any duty to update information contained in this press release.
Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, express and implied statements regarding revenues from sales of the jointly developed products as well as development of the market for commercial applications of Cogent's technology. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied here. Readers are referred to Cogent's and Phoenix's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: failure of the biometrics market to experience significant growth; failure of Cogent's products to achieve broad acceptance; failure to successfully compete; failure to comply with government regulations; negative publicity and/or loss of clients due to security breaches resulting in the disclosure of confidential information; loss of export licenses or changes in export laws; rapid technology change in the biometrics market; loss of a key member of management team; termination of backlog orders; loss of limited source suppliers; failure to protect intellectual property; and exposure to intellectual property and product liability claims. The information contained in this press release is a statement of Cogent's and Phoenix's present intentions, beliefs or expectations and is based upon, among other things, existing industry conditions, market conditions, the economy in general and Cogent's and Phoenix's assumptions. Cogent or Phoenix may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in its assumptions or otherwise. Neither Cogent nor Phoenix undertakes any obligation to review or confirm analysts' expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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