RSA solutions enable customers worldwide to leverage information-centric security in Q3 2006

SecureData, a member of the JSE-listed ERP.com Group and the distributor for RSA Security products in Sub-Saharan Africa, today announced that more than 6 500 customers, including approximately 1 500 new customers, selected RSA for its identity assurance and access control, encryption and key management, compliance and security information management and fraud protection solutions in the third quarter of 2006.

As of 30 September 2006, more than 22 000 organisations worldwide have selected the company's award-winning line of solutions designed to help secure critical information wherever it resides in the enterprise.

With technologies and services from RSA, which now includes Network Intelligence, customers can effectively assess risk, secure people and data, and assure policy compliance - core pillars of a comprehensive, information-centric security strategy.

"The third quarter of 2006 continues to validate that RSA's solutions are well matched to the unique business and technology needs of our customers, and ideal for organisations looking beyond the perimeter toward security strategies that focus on truly protecting the information itself," commented Jim Melvin, vice-president of marketing at RSA. "As we continue to build and strengthen our relationships with existing customers, we are successfully winning new customers in our key verticals, and across all our product lines."

Important customer wins this year include: Backstop Solutions Group, which leverages RSA SecurID technology; Independent Electricity System Operator, which utilises Network Intelligence technology; MedVentive, an RSA SecurID Appliance customer; and Fi-Tek, a customer who will be deploying the risk-based authentication module of the RSA Adaptive Authentication solution.

New customers highlights in the third quarter of 2006:

* Backstop Solutions Group, LLC (BSG) is an award-winning provider of innovative software to alternative asset managers, including funds of funds, hedge funds, family offices and endowments of all sizes. The company is using RSA SecurID two-factor authenticators and RSA Authentication Manager software to provide more secure access to its on-demand software suite, and to protect its clients' most sensitive business and financial information. BSG is also using a toolkit from RSA Professional Services to integrate the RSA products with its Web-based platform.

"BSG clients collectively manage more than $40 billion in assets, and they trust our software with their most sensitive information," added Jeremie Bacon, chief executive officer at Backstop Solutions Group. "We protect this trust by maintaining the highest standards of security and privacy. Our decision to deploy RSA SecurID technology is one more example of how we continuously integrate state-of-the-art security technology into our platform."

* With more than $1.2 billion in total assets, Baxter Credit Union (BCU) is one of the nation's top 100 credit unions, and the third largest credit union in Illinois. Founded in 1981, BCU has operated for 25 years with a member-centric focus. By selecting a comprehensive online security protection product suite from RSA, BCU has taken a proactive approach to fighting online fraud and protecting its members. BCU will deploy RSA FraudAction to combat phishing and pharming, as well as RSA Adaptive Authentication for Web and RSA Transaction Monitoring. These products are designed to work in tandem to better authenticate its members and in turn protect their information and assets while conducting day-to-day transactions on the Web. "Our members are BCU's greatest asset. Therefore, we take online security and online usability quite seriously," continued Jesse Bruns, E-services manager at BCU. "By working with RSA, we are able to offer a layered security approach and yet not inconvenience our members that choose to utilise our Web-based electronic service offerings."

* The Bay Area Real Estate Information Services (BAREIS), a Northern California regional multiple listing service (MLS) that serves approximately 11 700 members, selected RSA SecurID technology as part of the Rapattoni Secure Logon service, to ensure that only authorised users can access its site. RSA SecurID technology helps eliminate the potential for account sharing and ID theft, and ensures that only members in good standing can enter the MLS site. BAREIS recognised the importance of strongly protecting private real estate data and sees Secure Logon as a crucial first step in preparation for Quattro, a planned shared MLS database that BAREIS announced jointly with MetroList in Sacramento and the San Francisco Association of Realtors in September. Implementation of the BAREIS system is already under way, and RSA SecurID tokens will be distributed to BAREIS members at the end of October.

Additional 2006 customer successes include:

* Advanta Bank Corp, headquartered in Draper, Utah, is one of the nation's largest issuers of business credit cards to small businesses and business professionals. Advanta is an innovative company that runs its operations in a cost-efficient manner while continuing to provide a high level of service tailored to the needs of small businesses. Keeping with this approach, Advanta has selected to deploy the risk-based authentication module of the RSA Adaptive Authentication for Web solutions, which works behind the scenes to authenticate their customers, providing strong security with minimal impact on usability.

* Bank of America Asia, wholly owned by Bank of America Corporation and one of the highest rated banks in Hong Kong, is offering RSA SecurID two-factor authentication tokens to its online banking customers. "As online banking usage continues to increase, there's a growing need to provide more tools to deliver reliable and convenient protection for online transactions," continued Tony Chiu, vice-president for Electronic Banking Services at Bank of America Asia. "The RSA SecurID token is the optimal solution for easy-to-use two-factor online authentication."

* China Telecom, one of the largest telecom carriers in China, selected and implemented RSA SecurID technology into its ChinaVnet broadband business portal. ChinaVnet users can protect their online information and transactions through RSA's two-factor authentication technology.

* Fi-Tek, LLC provides value added software solutions for financial service providers and their clients, including a growing list of products and services for alternative investments (hedge funds), private banking, and trust. Fi-Tek selected the risk-based authentication module of the RSA Adaptive Authentication solution to protect its clients from emerging online threats. The RSA solution will be deployed in TrustReporter, which provides Web-based reporting and electronic statement distribution for Trust/Rite, the company's industry-leading trust and investment management accounting and reporting system.

* The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has selected Network Intelligence security event management technology to monitor its network for security breaches and suspicious activity. IESO manages the power system for Ontario, Canada and relies on Network Intelligence to automate the collection, analysis and scheduled reporting of event log data produced by more than 2 500 network security devices and to comply with recent North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) guidelines. "After an extensive analysis of more than a dozen products, we chose Network Intelligence because of its ease of deployment and the fact we could seamlessly integrate it into our existing network," according to Dave Lewis, information security officer at IESO. "Security infrastructure protection is paramount in my line of work and 12 million residents in Ontario rely on continuous service. With the added responsibility complying with new NERC standards in protecting critical infrastructure, Network Intelligence offers the only complete end-to-end solution for data collection, management, analysis and reporting."

* LCL Le Credit Lyonnais has selected RSA in order to fight phishing, pharming and other types of online attacks with the company's proven RSA FraudAction service. LCL Le Credit Lyonnais, which is a part of Credit Agricole, the largest banking group in France, is the first French financial institution to announce its use of an anti-phishing service, as well as the first bank in France to join RSA's cross-bank global eFraudNetwork community.

* Lucent Technologies, based in Murray Hill, New Jersey, designs and delivers the systems, services and software that drive next-generation communications networks. To help protect access to its infrastructure and ensure the authenticity of its users, Lucent uses the RSA SecurID two-factor authentication solution. Strong authentication helps Lucent identify users like remote employees prior to network access, helping protect the company's highly valuable and sensitive information.

* MedVentive, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, provides innovative and clinically sophisticated solutions to reduce healthcare costs and improve quality. MedVentive systems are Web-based, and integrated with the RSA SecurID Appliance in order to help safeguard access to sensitive patient data. "Physicians, payers and patients use MedVentive solutions to improve care delivery, exchange information and make better decisions," added Mark Hays, chief technology and security officer at MedVentive. "RSA SecurID technology adds an important layer of protection for confidential patient information - with a high degree of convenience and mobility for our customers. Implementation was easy; RSA Authentication Manager software linked directly to our user authentication system."

* Founded in 1928 as a financial service co-operative, PSIS Ltd provides New Zealanders with a full range of personal banking services, including transaction, deposit, lending and insurance products, through a nationwide network of branches, ATM/EFTPOS card access, telephone, Internet and TXT banking. PSIS is using the RSA SecurID solution to help safeguard its Internet banking customers with strong, two-factor authentication. "RSA was chosen as it has a strong reputation in the field of consumer identity protection. Electronic fraud techniques are becoming more sophisticated all the time and RSA has proven to be a trusted and experienced partner," continued Mark Wilcox, manager Risk & Finance Projects at PSIS.

* Suchak Data Systems, Inc (SDS), a full-service boutique provider of technology systems and services for community-based financial institutions, selected RSA to integrate the risk-based authentication module of the RSA Adaptive Authentication for Web solution with its Web Banking Products. SDS selected RSA due to the company's long-time commitment to the information security arena as a trusted partner with an excellent reputation. "Suchak Data Systems continuously strives to stay ahead of the technology curve. We pay close attention to the many compliance and security issues that are critical to our industry and also incorporate our unparalleled customer support in all we do," stated Vinod Suchak, president and chief executive officer at Suchak Data Systems. "This new level of security blends an industry leading technology from RSA, along with their thorough understanding of security, with SDS' knowledge of the financial industry and sensitivity to the customer service and end-user experience that is crucial to our clients in the community banking space."

* Vane Brothers Company, based in Baltimore, Maryland, provides a wide range of maritime services including safely transporting petroleum products by tug and barge from Maine to the Gulf of Mexico. Vane also provides sales and services for life rafts and marine safety equipment for the world's leading manufacturers. With its business partner, MTM Technologies, a leading national provider of innovative IT solutions and services to Global 2000 and mid-size companies, RSA is providing RSA SecurID two-factor authentication technology to the Vane fleet. "Authentication technology allows the captains and crews on Vane vessel to securely connect to company land-based networks and applications while travelling on inland, coastal and international waters," concluded Charlie Wahlig, chief information officer, Vane Brothers Company.

For further information, please contact Andrew Ochse at telephone (011) 790 2500; fax (011) 790 2599; e-mail andrewo@securedata.co.za.