NEWS

New Server Mode for Contact Cards Makes Sphinx Work with Virtually Any Contact Card

San Francisco, CA February 20, 2007

If you have a contact chip already on your ID card and you had despaired of being able to add new functionality, think again! Sphinx' new server mode for contact cards makes it possible for Sphinx to be used with virtually any contact chip - including cards that are already in use, cards that are used for other functions, and cards that do not have much storage space.

The new Sphinx server mode for contact cards is available now, which means that if you have a chip on your ID card you can add the full Sphinx functionality, including:
* Logon to Windows with card, including "pull card" to lock, logoff, or shutdown computer.
* Logon to websites and applications with card; Sphinx remembers the logon data, so you don't have to.

Since the server mode solution runs on a secure network, administrators maintain real-time control over a cardholder's ability to logon to the network using their card. As soon as a card is registered in Sphinx as lost, it will no longer be accepted within the system. If desired, administrators can also "manage" logon entries for cardholders, loading changes and updates to cards as required.

Adding Sphinx functionality to an installation is easy. After the software has been installed at the end-user and administrator computers, cardholders self-enroll with Sphinx, entering their Windows logon data into Sphinx as part of the self-enrollment process. After the next re-boot, Sphinx prompts for the card in order to execute logon. Sphinx requires no change to the current Windows setup and works seamlessly with Active Directory, including synchronization of Windows passwords changes.

The creation of the new server mode for contact cards was a direct response to customer need. One of the challenges in the smart card industry has always been how to combine and manage multiple applications on a single chip platform. Too many customers found themselves with contact chip capability, but not enough functionality.

With the new server mode for contact cards, Sphinx bypasses the chip's limitations by instead using the card purely as an authentication token, and using a secure network server as the secure storage device. Access to the data is protected by two-factor authentication (card presentation and PIN entry). The data itself is secured by multiple layers of strong encryption, which means that even if someone on the network intercepts the data they cannot read the data. The secure protocols of smart card technology continue to ensure that even data that is not stored directly on the chip is still stored securely. Client-server communication can also additionally be protected by SSL.

About Open Domain Sphinx Solutions
Open Domain Sphinx Solutions, Inc. was established in 2004 to focus on the promotion, support, and further development of the Sphinx software. The Sphinx Logon Manager software enables card-secured computer access with a contact chip card or a contactless card and is in continuous use at a substantial installed base of government, financial, educational, and healthcare institutions world-wide.

Open Domain Sphinx Solutions grew out of Open Domain, Inc., a respected technical integrator and software developer for critical security processes, which was founded in 1996. In addition to the many organization that rely on the Sphinx software, the Open Domain companies' client and partner list includes Fortune Global top 100 technology and service companies. Open Domain is also broadly known as the software provider and integrator for the Health Passport Project, the largest health smart card project in the US, and the Administrator of the PC/SC Workgroup, a primary standards organization for the smart card industry. See also www.odsphinx.com.

Contact:
Open Domain Sphinx Solutions, pr@odsphinx.com