Dallas, TX (April 20, 2004) - Dallas-based Ian Donnelly Systems, Inc. (IDS) today announced availability of its third-generation security encryption devices for electronic funds transfer (EFT) applications.

The new KEY-UP III family incorporates the latest security specifications mandated by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), while offering significant performance improvements and lower cost per transaction.

According to IDS president Ian Donnelly, KEY-UP III modules include Triple DES (data encryption standard) compliance, Derived Unique Key Per Transaction (DUKPT), and TCP/IP network interface protocols.

"KEY-UP III operates at speeds of up to 5x faster than its predecessor family - or up to 500 transactions per second, depending on the transaction length," said Donnelly. "As such, our customers will benefit from significantly faster transaction processing times, especially during peak network usage, and a lower total cost of ownership."

The mandatory Triple DES standard provides extensively beefed up security features for a range of EFT transactions, from ATM withdrawals to debit card to e-commerce. These increased security features support advances in computing technology and cryptanalytic techniques.

For point-of-sale (POS) applications, DUKPT provides enhanced data protection in systems with multiple terminals or network nodes down line from the original transaction. KEY-UP III is plug-compatible with most major software systems and supports standard message formats.

The increased transaction throughput to 500 transactions per second results in a lower total cost per transaction. This is provided by the faster processing speeds supported by KEY-UP III's point-to-point Ethernet TCP/IP host connection.

KEY-UP III encrypts personal identification numbers (PINs) and formats them for transmission to other network processors. It automatically translates the format and key of the received PIN blocks to those required by the next communication link. PINs are verified using IBM 3624, Visa PVV, Diebold and NCR validation techniques. PIN block formats include ANSI, IBM 3264, Unisys, Diebold and Docutel.

The tamper-proof KEY-UP III comes in two models - as a stand-alone deice in the original, secure casing - or a new, rack-mounted unit. The stand-alone model measures 4.25 in. high, 10.25 in. wide and 13.25 inches deep, and weighs about 25 pounds, while the newer model measures 3.75 in. high, 19 in. wide and 13 in. deep, and weighs about 14 pounds.

IDS was founded in 1987 to develop new markets and applications for security encryption devices used in the EFT arena. The KEY-UP family supports all major EFT software systems, and is deployed in the United States, Canada, South and Central America. IDS banking, credit union and retail customers include First Citizens Bank North Carolina; First Data Merchants; Notre Dame Federal Credit Union; Ahold Corp.'s Giant Food subsidiary; Krogers; Pulse EFT Association, Northrup Grumman (EBT system for the State of Texas); and New York Transit Authority, among others.

Thanks,
Ian Donnelly