Arcot Joins Citi's Preferred Partner Network Moving Identity Industry Forward

Joint solution spans identity verification, online authentication and digital signatures

Sunnyvale, California -- November, 2007 — Arcot Systems, the leader in software-only authentication, announced today that it has joined Citi's Global Transaction Services Preferred Partner Network to lead the identity management industry forward by coupling Citi-managed digital identities issued by Citi® Managed Identity Services with Arcot's strong authentication and digital signature solutions. The powerful combination establishes a comprehensive framework that spans the verification of an identity to its authentication and use online. The result gives organizations confidence they know "who" "did what" and "when" online, creating a new level of trust—and accountability—in B2B digital interactions.

"Citi is uniquely qualified to enable 'trusted' electronic interactions between business partners by first verifying and assuring end user identities, and then issuing high-assurance digital identities," said Gary Greenwald, Managing Director, Global Transaction Services at Citi. "We are pleased to have Arcot as part of our partner network. This alliance allows Citi-issued digital identities to be distributed to highly mobile end users, typical extranet or partner network environments."

Citi acts as a trusted third party for organizations involved in business-to-business electronic transactions, by asserting the identities of the involved parties. Each Citi-issued digital identity is backed by Citi's rigorous customer due diligence processes, so organizations are assured that business partners are who they say they are and are authorized to conduct electronic business transactions.

Arcot, a Citi preferred partner, has enabled its offering to accept Citi-issued, high assurance digital identities, creating a joint solution that helps clients "know their customer" and meet growing legal, regulatory and procedural requirements for identity management.

"This partnership combines Citi's market-leading global reach with Arcot's best-in-class technology," said Ram Varadarajan, president and CEO of Arcot Systems. "Arcot's software-only solution is rapidly scalable and simple to use, so organizations can transition quickly to fully electronic business processes with the assurance of strongly authenticated trusted identities and legally acceptable electronic document signatures."

Once Citi validates an authorized individual's identity, Arcot manages the process of issuing and maintaining a digital identity throughout its lifecycle. Arcot also enables two important applications. First, Arcot's software-only two-factor authentication technology secures access to sensitive applications, ensuring that the right user with the right level of authority is the individual involved in an electronic transaction. Second, Arcot provides a complete, easy to use solution that enables organizations to digitally sign electronic documents from any location, without the cost and complexity of issuing tokens, smart cards or other devices.

This unique offering is available to clients today. For more information about Citi Managed Identity Services and Arcot Systems, please visit CitiGroup.

For more information visit www.arcot.com.