(Amsterdam 30.11.01) The Judicial Organisation, part of the Dutch Ministry of Justice, has decided to go with a combined Utimaco Safeware and MaXware Benelux solution to build their secure infrastructure on the basis of PKI and directory services functionality. MaXware Benelux is a subsidiary of EDB Fellesdata and a part of EDB Business Partner. The initial order has an approximate value of EUR 750.000.

Smart cards combined with fingerprint
The infrastructure caters security services for user authentication, digital signatures and protection of personal e-mail and documents. In the near future the solution will be available for all personnel of the Ministry, and utilises the latest technology in biometrics, cryptography and directory services. PKI registration points, and smart card issue stations are established decentrally to service thousands of users in supplying personalised smart cards. A novelty within this project is the use of biometrics: A smart card can only be used after a positive verification of the user's fingerprint.

The SafeGuard PKI solution from Utimaco Safeware enables complete key management for the Judicial Organisation. MaXware delivers the Critical Path Directory Server, a high-performance directory server for the Ministry to service all clients for PKI purposes. Applying intelligent redundancy on server level caters for maximal uptime. The directory contains all key information about persons and certificates within the Ministry. MaXware also provides assistance in implementation and support of the product.

About MaXware Benelux
MaXware Benelux, situated in Amsterdam, is a subsidiary of EDB Fellesdata and a part of EDB Business Partner. MaXware's secure solutions enable access, exchange and management of business information. The competencies are acknowledged in the areas of (meta) directories, security, messaging and financial services. MaXware's customer portfolio is mainly larger companies, financial organisations, governmental and telecommunication and service providers.

Contact persons:
Ole Trasti, Managing Director, EDB Fellesdata AS and Executive Vice President, Bank & Finance in EDB Business Partner, Tel. +47 22 52 82 60, +47 90 08 91 00

Peter Kwakernaak, Managing Director, MaXware Benelux, Tel. +31 20 452 9 6 50