AMSTERDAM, April 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), a world leader in digital security, today announces it is providing Barclays Bank plc, one of the largest financial services institutions in the world, with a tailor-made product supporting Barclays project to offer stronger authentication for online banking customers. The Gemalto solution includes the authentication devices and a full service encompassing design of the readers, fulfillment and distribution to the Barclays customer. In addition, Gemalto produced a unique looking device, customized with the bank's visual corporate identity. The contract calls for the delivery of over half a million units by the end of this year and includes options for additional deliveries into 2008.

Barclays' strong authentication program is aimed at preventing online fraud related to remote banking and helps prevent the theft and use of online banking credentials. When the bank decided to implement this large-scale scheme, ease-of-use and convenience were determining factors. Barclays' customers will be able to generate One-Time-Passwords with the reader, to authenticate themselves at log in and sign transactions undertaken, inserting their chip-enabled banking cards into the Gemalto device and typing in their card Personal Identification Number (PIN) code. Barclays customers can carry the devices with them wherever they go and perform these secure online transactions from any personal computer.

The device is compliant with the standard industry specifications - EMV, MasterCard and Visa Chip Authentication Program (CAP) 2007. It also meets the APACS (the UK payment association) requirements.

"This contract with Barclays recognizes Gemalto's leadership in the digital security arena," explains Jacques Seneca, president Europe, Gemalto. "We have been selected among a number of security solutions experts, through a very comprehensive process, and we are delighted to provide Barclays customers with the freedom to enjoy enhanced security and simple remote banking, whether at home or on the move."

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About Barclays

Barclays is an international financial services group engaged primarily in banking, investment banking and asset management. In terms of market capitalisation , Barclays is the third largest financial services group in the UK. The Group also operates in many other countries and is a leading provider of global services to multinational corporations and financial institutions in the world's main financial centres.

About Barclays Online Banking

Barclays launched internet banking on 23 June 1998. Prior to this date Barclays offered PC banking which enabled customers to load software on their computer to give a secure connection to the bank's computers (this was launched 21 April 1997). Barclays Online Banking now has over 1.7 million users and in 2006, 214 million transactions were completed online. Barclays was awarded Anti-Fraud Strategy of the Year at the Financial Sector Technology Awards in March 2007. Barclays customers have a choice about how they do business with us - through our branches, by telephone or online. We are committed to continue to offer all of our customers that choice.

About Gemalto

Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO) is a leader in digital security with pro forma 2006 annual revenues of EUR1.7 billion, operations in about 100 countries and over 10,000 employees including 1,500 R&D engineers. In a world where the digital revolution is increasingly transforming our lives, Gemalto's solutions are designed to make personal digital interactions more convenient, secure and enjoyable.Gemalto provides end-to-end digital security solutions, from the development of software applications through design and production of secure personal devices such as smart cards, SIMs, e-passports, and tokens to the management of deployment services for its customers. More than a billion people worldwide use the company's products and services for telecommunications, financial services, e-government, identity management, multimedia content, digital rights management, IT security, mass transit and many other applications.

As the use of Gemalto's software and secure devices increases with the number of people interacting in the digital and wireless world, the company is poised to thrive over the coming years. Gemalto was formed in June 2006 by the combination of Axalto and Gemplus.

For more information please visit http://www.gemalto.com/ Gemalto Media Emmanuelle Saby T: +33-1-55-01-57-27 M: +33-6-09-10-76-10 Emmanuelle.saby@gemalto.com Investor Relations Stephane Bisseuil T: +33-1-55-01-50-97 M: +33-6-86-08-64-13 Stephane.bisseuil@gemalto.com TBWA\Corporate Emlyn Korengold T: +33-1-49-09-66-51 M: +33-6-08-21-93-74 emlyn.korengold@tbwa-corporate.com

CONTACT: Gemalto: Media, Emmanuelle Saby, T: +33-1-55-01-57-27, M:
+33-6-09-10-76-10, Emmanuelle.saby@gemalto.com; Investor Relations,Stephane
Bisseuil, T: +33-1-55-01-50-97, M: +33-6-86-08-64-13,
Stephane.bisseuil@gemalto.com; TBWA\Corporate, Emlyn Korengold, T:
+33-1-49-09-66-51, M: +33-6-08-21-93-74, emlyn.korengold@tbwa-corporate.com