For Immediate Release

Bluefire Security Technologies Showcases Secure Government Wireless Handheld Devices

Company Works with HP to Demonstrate Integrated Solution at FOSE 2004, HP Booth #2503; Showcases FIPS 140-2 Validation and Bluetooth Disablement

Baltimore, MD. March 23, 2004 — Bluefire Security TechnologiesTM today announced a working relationship with HP to accelerate the adoption of secure, wireless handheld technologies in government organizations. The companies will demonstrate their integrated solution at FOSE 2004 (HP Booth #2503), which combines Bluefire’s flagship wireless security product, Mobile Firewall Plus, with HP iPAQ handheld devices.

"Handheld devices, like the iPAQ, give the government ever greater power to put information in the right hands at the right time and place," said Tom Goodman, vice president of business development and operations for Bluefire. "Unfortunately, history has taught us that increased functionality and connectivity leads to greater security risks. By offering HP government customers a complete wireless security solution specifically designed for the requirements of the handheld platform, we are allowing them to take full advantage of all of the benefits of mobile computing without jeopardizing the performance or integrity of their devices and data."

Bluefire Mobile Firewall Plus leverages a FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic module, which is considered the benchmark for security within government organizations because it assures users that the product provides the highest level of protection for their sensitive mobile data. In addition, FOSE 2004 marks the first public demonstration of the solution’s newest feature that enables government organizations to disable Bluetooth wireless technology, addressing the growing security issues created by devices with these built-in capabilities.

"The government has become a progressive adopter of HP iPAQ devices," said Tina Moran, iPAQ mobility sales specialist, Personal Systems Group, HP. "While wireless technology is helping to increase efficiency, it also leaves agencies that have not secured their devices vulnerable to snooping, data theft and hack attacks launched through the handheld, Internet or Bluetooth. By working with Bluefire, we are moving forward to close the gap in the government’s mobile security strategy and ensure safe communications using iPAQ devices."

Bluefire Mobile Firewall Plus is uniquely designed to secure both handheld devices and the enterprise networks to which they connect. Its rules-based personal firewall engine resides on the device, is easy to configure and customize, and protects against multiple attacks. In addition, the solution provides real-time logging and alerting of all device-level activities, which allow administrators and end-users to detect intrusions and identify attack methods for quick and effective problem isolation. To protect information stored on the device, Bluefire enforces the use of a power-on password and can even invoke drastic protection measures such as device wipe if the handheld is lost or stolen.