Hitachi Cable, Ltd. has checked interconnection between its Apresia authentication switches and the Cyber SIGN Signature Verification System, which was developed by Cyber SIGN Japan Inc. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Toshiaki Chai, hereinafter referred to as ''Cyber SIGN''). We would also like to announce that Cyber SIGN has agreed to participate in the Apresia Security Alliance Program (EnSEC), which we promote.

Recently, unauthorized disclosure of customer information has become a serious, widespread problem. In order to prevent unauthorized disclosure of information by company employees, it is important to ensure the security of devices used to determine the identity of individual users, as well as networks. Hitachi Cable provides user authentication solutions based on the combination of its Apresia authentication switches and various authentication devices or servers.

In addition to the usual password authentication, sophisticated biometric authentication can be used to determine the identity of users. However, biometric authentication based on iris patterns or vein patterns requires special authentication devices, which tend to be quite expensive. On the other hand, the Cyber SIGN Signature Verification System can authenticate the identity of users through their signature, a kind of biometric authentication, for network access. In this system, signatures are input via the trackpads (*1) of notebook computers using a finger, so users don't need to purchase new devices. This system offers additional security advantages as well. It uses not only the appearance of a signature but also its speed and pressure as parameters, which makes it difficult for other people to duplicate it. As there is no actual signature produced, it's impossible for others to see what you enter even if they see you signing in.

Hitachi Cable checked interconnection between Apresia authentication switches and the Cyber SIGN Signature Verification System and received favorable results. As such, we are now able to provide network systems based on a simplified type of biometric authentication.

In addition, Cyber SIGN has agreed to participate in our Apresia Security Alliance Partnership Program (EnSEC). This is a program designed to respond flexibly to sophisticated and diverse security needs by enhancing the compatibility of Apresia with various devices, software, and services. We plan to increase the number of companies participating in the EnSEC program.

We intend to increase our market share in Ethernet (*2) switches for service providers and enterprise customers by utilizing the distribution channels of our EnSEC and Apresia sales partners. Our sales target for Apresia products for the 2006 fiscal year is 13 billion yen.

Contact for Cyber SIGN Japan Inc.

Cyber SIGN Japan Inc. Sales Department
Tel: 03-5733-3131

*1	''Trackpad'' refers to a pointing device through use of which a user can move the mouse cursor by moving his/her finger on a flat plastic panel. The position of the cursor is calculated based on changes in capacitance caused by a finger moving over the pad.
*2	Ethernet is a registered trademark of Xerox Corporation.