CALIFORNIA EXTERNAL COMPUTER HARD DRIVEMAKER ADDS UPEK BIOMETRIC SECURITY AS A NEW FEATUREUPEK Biometric Security Protects LaCie External Hard Drives; LaCie SAFE Mobile Hard Drive Features Data Access Protection Enabled by UPEK TouchStrip Fingerprint Authentication SolutionJune 21, 2005 12:05 PM US Eastern Timezone

UPEK Biometric Security Protects LaCie External Hard Drives; LaCie SAFE Mobile Hard Drive Features Data Access Protection Enabled by UPEK TouchStrip Fingerprint Authentication Solution

BERKELEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 21, 2005--UPEK(R), Inc., the leading supplier of biometric fingerprint security solutions, today announced that LaCie has introduced the SAFE Mobile Hard Drive featuring data access protection enabled by UPEK. The SAFE Mobile Hard Drive offers high capacity storage options of 40GB and 80GB along with pocket-sized portability, highlighting the need for data protection which is offered in the form of UPEK's biometric security solution. Fingerprint authentication is performed locally on the external hard drive instead of relying on the host PC, ensuring the highest level of security.


"We have selected UPEK's TouchStrip(TM) Fingerprint Authentication Solution foremost because of the high level security enabled by their chipset solution and patented active capacitive sensing technology," said Marie Renouard, Product Manager at LaCie. "UPEK is a full solution provider, not simply a component supplier, and has provided us integration support in order to ensure the LaCie SAFE Mobile Hard Drive is both secure and convenient to use."

"As the storage capacity and portability of external hard drives grow, so do the needs to protect access to data on these devices and ensure such protection doesn't introduce an inconvenience to the end user," stated Alan Kramer, president and CEO, UPEK. "LaCie's decision to protect their product with biometric security is an indicator that the external hard drive market is taking the value proposition of security to heart," said Kramer. "We are pleased to work with LaCie because they understand the need to offer the highest levels of security and convenience for end users in both the corporate and consumer markets."

About UPEK

Headquartered near Berkeley, California, with offices in Prague, Tokyo, Singapore and Taipei, UPEK, Inc. is a privately-held biometric fingerprint security company launched as a venture-backed spin-off from STMicroelectronics in 2004. The security solutions offered by UPEK under the TouchChip(R) and TouchStrip(TM) brands have been shipping in volume since 1999 and have been integrated into a broad range of commercial and consumer applications. UPEK offers the full range of capabilities needed to deliver end-to-end solutions, including silicon fingerprint sensors, biometric algorithms, companion processors, and client/server software. For more information, visit www.upek.com

About LaCie

LaCie creates external storage solutions and color monitors that help professionals and everyday people easily manage their digital lives. Powerful technology combined with unique designs by the internationally acclaimed Philippe Starck, Neil Poulton and Porsche Design GmbH make LaCie the world leader in storage innovation. Established in France in 1989, LaCie is now headquartered in North America, Europe and Asia and listed on the Paris Nouveau Marche (code 5431). For more information, visit www.lacie.com.

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Contacts


UPEK, Inc.
Steve Hahm, 510-420-2630
steve.hahm@upek.com
or
Citigate Cunningham for UPEK, Inc.
Lisa Kennedy, 415-618-8746
LKennedy@citigatecunningham.com
or
LaCie Press Inquiries
Melissa Logan, 503-844-4578
mlogan@lacie.com