-=3D> Encryption Reality <=3D-
 
    SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- PCMCIA has formed a new
Working Group dedicated to standardizing and promoting the PC Card as an
interface for data encryption and digital signature applications.
    The Working Group was formed to work within the PCMCIA Technical
Committee to help the Association define and standardize the
capabilities and requirements for PC Card Security Card devices.  The
Group's immediate goals are to define the necessary extensions to the PC
Card Standard that will allow easy identification of Security Card
devices, and to proactively identify other vendors in the market and
solicit their support for standardizing PC Cards as a security device.
    "The formation of this Group represents the formalization of an
industry trend.  A standardized form factor and interface for security
devices is finally an attainable goal thanks to the widespread
acceptance of PC Card technology," said Gary Visser, a senior software
engineer with Spyrus Communications and Co-Chairperson of the Working
Group.  "It is this high level of host support that will promote PC
Cards as a solution for electronic banking and commerce."
    PC Cards are seen by many experts as an ideal solution for digital
signature and data encryption applications due to the established base
of PC Card slots, and because most security applications are math
intensive and require the processing power and storage of computers.
    The proposal to form the Group was presented to PCMCIA by Spyrus,
Inc. of San Jose, California.  The group will be co-chaired by Edward
Tuggle of IBM Corporation and Visser of Spyrus, Inc.
    PCMCIA is a 500-member non-profit trade association and standards
body that promotes the worldwide adoption of PC Card technology by
defining technical specifications and proactively marketing the
technology.
    PC Cards are credit-card-size peripheral devices that add memory,
mass storage and I/O capabilities to computers and other electronic
devices in a rugged, compact form factor.  In addition to worldwide
acceptance in the mobile computing industry, PC Cards are now being
adopted by a wide range of industries such as desktop computing, digital
imaging, cable television and transportation.
 
þ