First Data will use the Baltimore UniCERT Certificate Management System e-security infrastructure to build a certificate authority to issue, maintain and validate certificates used on chip cards. Digital certificates are the next step in authentication of smart cards and guarantee that the card is present in the transaction

``Several large card issuers, such as Fleet Credit Card Services, are interested in providing their cardholders peace of mind when accessing and using the Web for performing transactions with a smart card,'' said Ann Kennedy, vice president of global smart card business development for First Data Corp. ``First Data's partnership with Baltimore Technologies allows us to build the information security infrastructure that enables cardholders to safely enjoy the benefits of conducting transactions online.''

Baltimore UniCERT has become one of the world's leading public key infrastructure (PKI) systems used in the most demanding security environments, including banking, government, and e-commerce. UniCERT is a highly scalable, flexible, and easy-to-use standards-based security tool that can be implemented for secure e-business transactions over the Internet, Extranet, and Intranet. UniCERT is deployed by a wide range of Fortune 1000 businesses enabling e-business on a global scale.

``Baltimore's advanced e-security solutions and First Data's expertise in card-based management systems will together provide customers with a scalable and secure smart card lifecycle management program,'' said Aidan Gallagher, executive vice president of global business development for Baltimore Technologies. ``Baltimore's industry leading Advanced Registration capabilities will greatly streamline First Data's certificate manufacturing process, enabling users to seamlessly transact secure e-business over the Web.''

First Data is the first processor in the U.S. to support the issuance of multi-application cards using the Open Platform technology as part of the smart Visa launch. The three applications, Visa Smart Credit/Debit, loyalty/rewards and secure Web access, reside on a Java 2.1, Open Platform Version 2.0 chip. The UniCERT technology enables the secure Web access.

About First Data

Atlanta-based First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC - news) helps move the world's money. As the leader in electronic commerce and payment services, First Data serves more than two million merchant locations, 1,400 card issuers and millions of consumers, making it easier, faster and more secure for people and businesses to buy goods and services using virtually any form of payment. With more than 29,000 employees worldwide, the company provides credit, debit and stored- value card issuing and merchant transaction processing services; Internet commerce solutions; money transfers and money orders; and check processing and verification services throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico, Spain and Germany. In addition, its Western Union® network includes approximately 94,000 agent locations with operations in 185 countries and territories. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.firstdata.com .

About Baltimore Technologies

Baltimore Technologies develops and markets security products and services to enable companies to develop trusted, secure systems for e-business, the Internet and mobile commerce. Its products include a wide range of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) products and services, wireless e-security solutions, cryptographic tool-kits, access control & authorization, content security (MIMEsweeper products) security applications and hardware cryptographic devices. Baltimore's global professional services organization offers a wide variety of consulting, training and deployment support to its customers worldwide. Baltimore Technologies markets and sells its solutions worldwide directly and through the TrustedWorld channel program. TrustedWorld includes many of the world's leading technology companies and a wide variety of global, regional and local business alliance partners.

Baltimore Technologies employs over 1000 people worldwide and operates from over 30 cities, with headquarters in Dublin, Ireland; London, UK; Boston, USA and Sydney, Australia. Baltimore Technologies plc is a public company with dual listings on Nasdaq (BALT) and the London Stock Exchange (BLM).