GE Security Selects ImageWare Systems to Deliver Biometric Secure Credentials

Sept. 26, 2006
Vendor Neutral, Biometrically-Enabled Solution for HSPD-12 and TWIC Applications

BRADENTON, FLA. – September 25, 2006 – GE Security, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) today announced a relationship with ImageWare Systems, Inc. (AMEX: IW) that will let GE Security deliver biometric identity management and secure credential technologies with its Picture Perfect UNIX-based enterprise access control and security management system. As a result, Picture Perfect will support biometric enrollment and identity proofing, as well as card management and issuance of biometrically-enabled secure credentials, thus meeting the requirements of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC), among others.

“We look forward to providing government and private organizations with our robust Picture Perfect platform that meets varying mandated federal agency credentialing standards,” said GE Security President Engineered Systems Dan Smytka. “This solution will help government agencies and private enterprises address the provisions for deploying fully integrated biometrics and smart card solutions for their organizations.”

“GE’s leading access control technologies and expertise in developing world-class solutions, together with ImageWare’s biometric and secure credentialing technology strengths, create a powerful tool for government organizations and private enterprises that are looking to meet industry requirements such as HSPD-12 and TSA’s TWIC program,” said Jim Miller, ImageWare’s chairman and CEO. “We are confident our enhanced partnership will deliver exceptional worldwide value.”

GE’s Picture Perfect enterprise access control and security management system, which has been the number one choice among Fortune 100 companies for years, runs on Red Hat Linux™ and IBM AIX. These operating systems are less susceptible to computer viruses and more stable than Windows in shared-server or multi-user environments. Its ODBC compliant database with the incorporation of JDBC (Java™ database connectivity) technology, web deployable JAVA thin client, and feature-rich XML API give customers the flexibility to adapt it easily within their network architectures. The robust, scalable UNIX platform designed to handle high transaction volumes, such as millions of card access transactions, and real-time alarm processing demand, an essential for enterprise security applications.

By utilizing the ImageWare suite, Picture Perfect now provides a comprehensive solution that supports and manages the issuance of smart cards and includes the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) certified middleware that assures the card management solution remains scalable and interoperable while working with existing smart cards. Users can biometrically search and match populations of unlimited sizes for identify confirmation and lets government and law enforcement organizations support the first stage of biometric identity management functions, such as identity proofing and vetting. Biometric devices and algorithms from virtually every vendor can be deployed. Over 100 different devices and methods of biometric acquisition and 70 biometric algorithms are supported.

About GE’s Security Business

GE Security Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a leading supplier of security and life safety technologies, with operations in more than 35 countries and $2 billion in annual sales. GE Security offers one of the industry's broadest product portfolios, covering explosives and narcotics detection, intrusion and access control, video surveillance, key management, and fire detection. GE Security's products are used to protect people and property across a wide range of industries, including aviation, law enforcement, banking, education, healthcare, mass transit, and retail.

For additional information, please visit www.gesecurity.com.