Tokyo – July 30, 2008 – NEC and GMO Internet Group company, GlobalSign announce a certificate authority construction collaboration.

Under the partnership the NEC certificate authority software, PKI Server/Carassuit and the GlobalSign Public certificate authority service, Managed RA Service will be integrated to provide the ideal custom certificate authority for in-house systems.
A custom certificate authority makes it possible to issue public certificates for digital signatures and encryption used in S/MIME*1 as well as digital certificates to be attached to Microsoft Office and other document files. The PKI Server/Carassuit administration screen allows centralized administration of a registration authority and custom certificate authority. Unlike a general certificate authority digital certificate issue service, this product is customizable so companies can expect improved administrator efficiency and reductions in both operation costs and operating time.

The system has already been supplied to the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and is being used as an internal verification system in the school. When sensitive data is sent outside of the school by e-mail, it is encrypted and an IC card is employed for strengthened user verification.

The PKI Server/Carassuit with the Managed RA Service external certificate authority connection option will be available from NEC beginning September 12; prices start at 2.5 million yen.

PKI*2 has essentially been used by organizations for authentication purposes. However, in recent years stronger compliance and stricter security needs have expanded use to include digital signatures requiring a public certificate.
NEC and GlobalSign will continue to bring together various products and service to help contribute to the construction of a safer more secure IT infrastructure.

*1 S/MIME is a common e-mail encryption method; the message is encrypted and a digital signature attached.
*2 PKI is (Public Key Infrastructure) a security system that uses public key cryptosystem technology public/private key pair.

PKI Server/Carassuit by NEC
The NEC PKI Server/Carrassuit is software that enables companies to establish an in-house PKI by providing certificate authority and registration authority functions. Using PKI companies can protect against fraud with digital signatures as well as issue and manage digital certificates to prevent information leakage through encryption

The GlobalSign Managed RA Service
The GlobalSign Managed RA Service is a registration authority outsourcing service that provides customers with the critical certificate authority (CA) function of vetting (Registration Authority RA) for the issue of digital certificates. GlobalSign, a company with vast certificate authority management and operation experience, takes care of this function. With the GlobalSign RA function the customerfs administrator can issue a public certificate using the GlobalSign public root certificate installed in browsers, mailers and other products.
The client certificate issued is compliant with technical standards (X.509) and can be used in an S/MIME signature and standard client verification. Not only can it be used as a stand-alone service, in response to customer demand we have made the API available so that customers can integrate it into their existing system.

The NEC/GlobalSign Partnership
Until now PKI Server/Carassuit has primarily been used internally by companies to connect to a private certificate authority for certificate issue in client verification or OS log in verification (smart card login). However, recently a growing number of companies want to use the system for S/MIME for e-mailing outside the organization (including overseas) or for digital signing of documents in general distribution. Now NEC and GlobalSign have collaborated to link the system to a public certificate authority that offers a wide range of services making it possible to flexibly handle a range of needs. In addition, key management within the PKI Server/Carassuit improves administrator operability and reduces administrative requirements.

GlobalSign
GlobalSign began providing digital authentication services to Belgium ten years ago when digital authentication companies were first beginning to appear. Customers include a number of Belgian government agencies and the GlobalSign Certificate Authority operates many prestigious government projects such as eID*(BELPIC). We are recognized as the Belgian Government Certificate Authority. GlobalSign became a member of the GMO Internet Group in 2006 and is expanding sales of government-level security Japan and worldwide.
*eID: A citizen ID card. This is the first stage of the e-government project in Belgium. The ID card containing a digital certificate is distributed to all Belgian citizens over the age of 12.

Performance: (cumulative figures)
– Over 100,000 SSL Server Certificates issued
– Over1.4 million digital certificates (for web sites, IC Cards etc. including Digital IDs) issued
– Over 20 million certificates worldwide rely on the public trust provided by the GlobalSign root (including issues by subordinate CAs)
– We supply many major government agencies and major corporations

Profile
– The first certificate authority in Europe to obtain WebTrust accreditation
– CABF (CA/Browser Forum) member In Japan GlobalSign (formerly GeoTrust JAPAN) participates as a member of JCAF (Japan Certification Authority Forum)
– Anti-Phishing Working Group member

Related Links (all links are to Japanese language sites unless otherwise indicated)
NEC product information:http://www.nec.co.jp/middle/Carassuit/

Media Inquiries
GMO Hosting and Security Inc. Corporate Planning Department
E-mailFpr@gmo-hs.com
GMO Internet Inc. Group PR Team
E-mailFpr@gmo.jp

The GMO Internet Group
The GMO Internet Group is a leading force in the Internet industry offering one of the most comprehensive ranges of Internet services in Japan. We hold top domestic market shares in domain registration, web hosting and payment processing and we provide a host of other services including e-commerce solutions and Internet advertising to individual and corporate customers. Striving to redefine the industry and foster a vibrant Internet culture, the GMO Internet Group is continuously working to inspire enthusiasm in our customers and put smiles on their faces.

NEC Corporation

Company Name	NEC Corporation<http://www.nec.co.jp/>
Address	7-1, Shiba 5-chome, Minato ku, Tokyo, JAPAN
CEO	Kaoru Yano
Business Description	– IT/Network Solutions Business – Mobile/Personal Solutions Business – Electron Devices Business (semi-conductors, other devices)
Capital	337,900,000,000 yen (6/2007)

GlobalSign K.K.

Company Name	GlobalSign K.K.<http://jp.globalsign.com/>
Address	Shibuya Infoss Tower 20-1, 20-1 Sakuragaoakacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN
CEO	Ichiro Chujo
Business Description	– Information security and digital authentication
Capital	356,640,000 YEN

GMO Hosting & Security INC.

Company Name	GMO Hosting & Security INC.<http://www.gmo-hs.com/eng/> (TSE Mothers Market Code: 3788)
Address	Cerulean Tower, 26-1 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya ku, Tokyo, JAPAN
CEO	Mitsuru Aoyama
Business Description	– Web hosting service – Internet security
Capital	906,050,000 YEN (12/2007)

GMO Internet Inc.

Company Name	GMO Internet Inc.<http://www.gmo.jp/en> (TSE First Section Code: 9449)
Address	Cerulean Tower, 26-1 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya ku, Tokyo, JAPAN
CEO	Masatoshi Kumagai
Business Description	– Internet Use Support (Infrastructure) – Internet Advertising Support (Media)
Capital	1,276,830,000 YEN

*All company names, product names and service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.