Released on: November 21, 2007, 2:45 am

Press Release Author: BioLink

Industry: Software

Press Release Summary: BioLink announces the commencement of the commissioning stage
of the biometric identification system, which is a major component of the e-passport
project in Nigeria, the first African country to adopt e-documents enhanced with
biometrics in compliance with the international standards and ICAO guidelines. As of
today, e-passports are accepted and deployed globally by a number of countries as an
effective tool to protect individuals and their personal information against fraud
and counterfeit.

Press Release Body: The new passports to be issued for Nigerians contain a digital
face photo as well as thumb and forefinger fingerprint templates. Fingerprint
identification is based on BioLink's scalable and fault-tolerant solutions and
algorithms, which are among leaders in independent tests. In implementing this
project, BioLink co-operated with its strategic partners Iris Smart Technologies Ltd
(ISTL), Nigeria, and IRIS Corporation Berhad, Malaysia. As a system integrator, ISTL
is responsible for integrating technologies provided by various vendors, rendering
the required services, including system maintenance on-site. IRIS is the supplier of
the passport disposal system software, electronic inlays for e-passports and is
responsible for printing the new passports.

To issue a biometrically enhanced e-passport, the person's fingerprints are scanned,
enrolled into the system and chip contained in a passport. Identification is
performed both at the issuance stage in order to prevent re-issuance of the document
to the same person and when crossing the country's borders to facilitate and enhance
immigration control procedures.

The biometric component is based on BioLink Automated Multi-biometric Information
System (AMIS), being a gigantic and powerful matcher of biometric templates and
based on patented award-winning fingerprint matching algorithms. Fingerprint
scanning provide support for WSQ (Wavelet Scalar Quantization) format widely
accepted and welcomed by law enforcement authorities worldwide. The server part
composed of 180 clustered blade servers allows for performing hundreds of thousands
of matches per second, with such a speed being a must for the like large-scale
identification projects covering millions of people. As of today, the system is
supposed to cover the issuance of passports to 6 millions Nigerian citizens (1st
stage). Assuming the entire AMIS potential is used to issue passports to all
Nigerians, the whole process of passport issuance is about to take 281 days only.

Piotr Pertsov, Director of Business Development in BioLink, says: "Engagement in
such a large, nationwide project is another vital milestone in BioLink's large-scale
identification activities. Some years ago, our cutting-edge biometrics and matchers
did their best to provide Nigerians with a unique opportunity to vote in compliance
with the democratic "one man - one vote" procedures by enrolling 60 million citizens
within the framework of the Voter Registration System. Now, we are committed to help
them combat illegal immigration and terrorism in compliance with global incentives
and procedures. Our work is not done yet: now that the project is commissioned,
BioLink will provide the required technical support and assistance, both on-site and
remote, for the system to operate properly".

About BioLink

BioLink, a leading provider of biometric identification solutions, develops,
manufactures, and markets advanced fingerprint biometric products. The Company's
products and services form the core of biometric identification and authentication
solutions for all scale civil identification, access control and information
security applications. BioLink's solutions provide the optimal total cost of
ownership in the industry and are being implemented by corporate and government
entities worldwide. For additional information, please visit BioLink's web site at
http://www.biolinksolutions.com.

About ISTL

ISTL (Iris Smart Technologies Ltd) is a Nigerian-based firm with technical partners
in many parts of the world. The Company's strategic focus is the provision of
customized computer-based smart and flexible solutions to private and public
sectors, including governments and parastatals. Since 1995, ISTL has been bringing
solutions to complex challenges in both the private and public sectors of the
economy. The Company employs experienced project management professionals bringing
their expertise, knowledge, understanding and wealth of experience of several
successfully implemented complex solutions. ISTL has an intimate knowledge of
government systems in general and election systems specifically. ISTL has offices in
Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria.

About IRIS

IRIS Corporation Berhad is a global security solution provider with core expertise
in the area of securing government security documents i.e. National ID and Passport.
IRIS pioneered the world's first electronic passport and national multiapplication
smart card with the implementation of the Malaysian Electronic Passport in March
1998 and MyKAD - the Malaysian Government Multi Purpose Card in April 2001. These
technologies are deployed in many countries across the Asia, Middle East and Africa
regions. IRIS also provides a full range of smart cards readers, integrated
terminals, card personalization equipment and biometrics scanner to complement the
application of its smart card solutions. For additional information, go to
http://www.iris.com.my.

Web Site: http://www.biolinksolutions.com

Contact Details: Vyborgskaya Str. Moscow, Russia
nvoronina@biolinksolutions.com