The First National Bank of Ipswich (FNBI) Deploys Comodo Authentication Solutions to Meet Online Identity Assurance Best Practices


Using PKI-based digital certificates; Comodo Two Factor Authentication Solution, EV SSL Certificates and Content Verification Certificates deliver strong site and user identity assurance protection that is FFIEC compliant; highly configurable, and is one of the lowest cost solutions on the market today

Jersey City, NJ (October 24, 2007) -- Comodo, a global Certification Authority and leading provider of Identity and Trust Assurance Management solutions, announced today that The First National Bank of Ipswich (FNBI) has selected a combination of Comodo solutions designed to provide site and user verification. FNBI will deploy Comodo's Two Factor Authentication solution, Comodo EV SSL certificates, and Comodo Content Verification Certificates. Together, these solutions are meant to provide FNBI with an online presence that is secure with a high level of identity assurance.

Based on strong Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), the Comodo solutions deliver a highly secure and innovative way to create a mutual-authentication model that confirms the site and user identity that is easy on the user and the bank. Importantly, these solutions leverage the mature and proven PKI platform so that banks can benefit from a holistic offering that provides ease of deployment, cost effectiveness, and a highly secure PKI platform for mutual authentication processes.

"We've chosen Comodo because they understand how to leverage the best-in-breed security while maintaining the convenience and ease-of-use of our online banking system," said Linda George, AVP of Support Service at The First National Bank of Ipswich. "From a total cost of ownership, Comodo's authentication system provided rapid integration with minimal rollout dependencies, which was a major advantage over any other solutions considered."

Maryjon Brett, SVP of IT & Operations for The First National Bank of Ipswich notes, "Our original two-factor solution was somewhat cumbersome. So we are very excited about the multiple solutions provided by Comodo. The addition of the Comodo EV SSL certificates and Comodo Content Verification Certificates solutions to their Two Factor Authentication solution allows us to stand-by our commitment to offer our customers user friendly state-of-the-art security solutions for their online transactions."

COMODO SOLUTION SUMMARY

1) Two Factor (TF) Client Certificates are a User Authentication Solution that is a High-Performance, Low Cost Solution Requiring Little Integration
Financial institutions are under pressure to comply with Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) guidelines to strengthen their mutual authentication processes for online banking transactions. With Comodo TF, FNBI can support a high-performance two-factor solution while reducing operating costs. This two-factor solution offers significant advantages over other two-factor solutions:

One of the only PKI-based two-factor solutions which analysts consider as one of the strongest forms of authentication available for online security

Low cost solution due to an established PKI infrastructure and digital certificate lifecycle management processes

Virtually the easiest multi-layer solution for customers to adopt because there is no change in members' online banking behavior once a DigitalID has been created.

Customers conveniently continue to use their existing usernames and passwords.

High level of flexibility and configurability and solution can be deployed in days

Ease of customer support

2) EV SSL Certificates

These high assurance certificates provide encryption and authentication of business identity with a new confirming green indicator in the address bar delivered through the browser interface confirming site identity. This new class of SSL Certificates provides a new level of identity assurance for online banking customers and is a critical component of a fully integrated identity and trust assurance best practices approach to a trusted online banking experience.

3) Content Verification Certificates (CVC) protects customers from phishing, pharming, and man-in-the-middle attacks

Comodo's unique Content Verification Certificates authenticates web content (such as a log-in box or graphics) to authenticate site identity. This is the only digital certificate on the market today that protects against man-in-the middle attacks as this solution alone delivers non-browser "green good to go" indicator confirming site identity.

With this technology, FNBI customers can verify the site's identity using a free plug-in (VerificationEngine) that immediately informs customers they are at the genuine FNBI website and not a spoofed Phishing site.

Comodo's authentication solutions were developed specifically to address diverse, complex and urgent needs of financial institutions for a solution that is configurable and practical. "The continuing pressure on banks to introduce new online banking services while maintaining security is an important challenge," said Melih Abdulhayoglu, CEO and Chief Security Architect of Comodo. "These solutions are based on PKI, a highly recognized security standard yet are non-intrusive to the online banking experience. Comodo delivers compliance, security within an architecture that is easy on banks and their customers."

For more information, please visit www.comodo.com/banking

About The First National Bank of Ipswich

At The First National Bank of Ipswich, our goal is to consistently provide extraordinary service that exceeds our customer's expectations, through our highly motivated and dedicated employees. We are proud of our rich heritage of serving the businesses and residents of our local communities for over 114 years and remain committed to support and actively participate in these communities. FNBI has invested in a number of expansion, technology and growth initiatives, which have provided access to new markets and services. This has positioned us well as a community bank to provide a unique blend of quality financial services in convenient locations with a personal touch.

The First National Bank of Ipswich (www.fnbi.com) is a federally chartered bank and a subsidiary of First Ipswich Bancorp. Incorporated in 1892, FNBI is a full-service commercial bank, serving communities in Beverly, Boston, Essex, Gloucester, Newburyport and Rowley, MA and Portsmouth, NH.

About Comodo

The Comodo companies provide the infrastructure that is essential in enabling e-merchants, other Internet-connected companies, software companies, and individual consumers to interact and conduct business via the Internet safely and securely. The Comodo companies offer PKI SSL, Code Signing, Content Verification and E-Mail Certificates; award winning PC security software; vulnerability scanning services for PCI Compliance; secure e-mail and fax services.

Continual innovation, a core competence in PKI, and a commitment to reversing the growth of Internet-crime distinguish the Comodo companies as vital players in the Internet's ongoing development. Comodo secures and authenticates online transactions and communications for over 200,000 business customers and 3,000,000 users of our desktop security products.

For additional information on Comodo - Creating Trust Online(TM) visit www.comodo.com

Judy Shapiro
COMODO Media Relations
C.O.M.O.D.O
Email: judy.shapiro@comodo.com

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