SAP Moves to Strengthen Customer Trust in Security Software and Consulting Services

SAP Moves to Strengthen Customer Trust in Security Software and Consulting Services

SAP Specialists from Consultancies Around the World Including Atos Origin, Deloitte and EDS Certify Their Expertise in Implementing Secure SAP Systems for Customers

Virus Scan Interface Added to List of More Than 50 Security Software Products Certified for Integration with SAP(R) Solutions

WALLDORF, Germany, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SAP AG (NYSE:SAP) today unveiled two new initiatives to help customers provide for the IT security of their business processes and data systems. SAP is now offering SAP(R) Consultant Certification for securing SAP systems, a distinction earned thus far by consultants from more than 20 SAP partner companies around the world, including Atos Origin in Europe, Deloitte Singapore and EDS Enterprise Solutions in South Africa. Additionally, SAP has added virus scanning software to its list of more than 50 security software products certified for integration with SAP(R) solutions.

"When SAP customers choose security consultants or third-party software, one of their first questions is whether the service provider or product integration is SAP certified," said Sachar Paulus, chief security officer, SAP AG. "SAP makes security an integral part of its software. With our continually expanding certification programs, our customers trust in third-party products and services that complement SAP solutions."

Certifying the Experts That Secure SAP Implementations

By achieving SAP security certification, consultants can verify their knowledge of applicable security tools and measures within their realms of SAP expertise, choosing from more than 80 tests covering the SAP NetWeaver(TM) technology platform and SAP's portfolio of business suite, industry-specific and small and midsize business solutions. Available in various languages, each test consists of 80 multiple choice questions on topics ranging from administration of users, roles and authorizations to firewalls, networks and routers. For the program's first movers such as Deloitte Singapore, boosting customer confidence in their qualifications to apply security knowledge effectively in SAP implementations was a key reason for achieving consultant certification.

"IT security and control is becoming a mandatory requirement as companies realize the value and necessity of building security into their systems from the very start of each implementation," said Pun Swee Sum, Manager, Deloitte Singapore. "SAP Consultant Certification enables us to distinguish ourselves from other local consultancies. It adds an important element of customer trust in our ability to execute proven SAP security strategies that help secure the system from the ground up and avoid the costs of adding security features after deployment."

Seal of Approval on Virus Scan Software Integration

With the growing use of HTTP protocols in SAP software and the open architecture of the SAP NetWeaver platform, the face of the SAP landscape has changed. As databases are now open for external documents and users log on to corporate systems remotely via the Internet, SAP customers need to fortify protection of their underlying operational systems, which, if brought to crash by a computer virus, might also bring down the SAP system.

Addressing customer demands for trusted solutions to counter this threat, SAP has expanded its certification program to include a scenario for virus scan interfaces. The first virus-scan software provider to obtain the endorsement "SAP(R) Certified Integration" is Germany-based H+BEDV Datentechnik GmbH for its AntiVir(R) product line. The certified AntiVir Virus Scan Adapter provides SAP system administrators with an integrated security solution to specify what type of documents and executable files are scanned prior to entry into or export from the SAP system.

In the area of security software, SAP has certified interfaces to more than 50 third-party products in seven other scenarios: digital signatures, encryption, and secure store and forward; directory services; external authentication; risk management; secure network communications; system audits; and user management.

Further information on SAP(R) Consultant Certification

SAP offers certifications for solution, technology and development consultants. For more information, please visit http://www.sap.com/services/education/certification . From this Web page, more information on SAP Consultant Certification, Technology Consultant SAP NetWeaver -- SAP Security (2004), can be found via the path: "Technical Consultant Certification" / "SAP NetWeaver -- SAP Security (2004)."

Further information on SAP(R) Certified Integration

More than 800 software providers have earned the tagline "SAP(R) Certified Integration" for various product integrations. Launched in 1996, SAP's integration certification program enables independent software vendors and SAP software partners to draw on the assistance of SAP's Integration and Certification Centers (ICCs) to find the most suitable integration scenario for their products and have their interface software tested and certified. Vendors can leverage the professional help of three long-established ICCs as well as the broad set of interfaces SAP provides to enable the integration with SAP(R) solutions and the SAP NetWeaver(TM) platform. Interested vendors can register their products for SAP certification by visiting www.sap.com/partners/apply. For vendors interested in more information on SAP certification, please visit http://www.sdn.sap.com/sdn/icc.sdn or contact the nearest Integration and Certification center at icc@sap.com (Europe, Middle East, Africa); icc-americas@sap.com (Americas); or icc-apa@sap.com (Asia- Pacific).

About SAP

SAP is the world's leading provider of business software solutions*. Today, more than 24,450 customers in over 120 countries run more than 84,000 installations of SAP(R) software -- from distinct solutions addressing the needs of small and midsize businesses to enterprise-scale suite solutions for global organizations. Powered by the SAP NetWeaver(TM) platform to drive innovation and enable business change, mySAP(TM) Business Suite solutions are helping enterprises around the world improve customer relationships, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across their supply chains and business operations. SAP industry solutions support the unique business processes of more than 25 industry segments, including high tech, retail, public sector and financial services. With subsidiaries in more than 50 countries, the company is listed on several exchanges, including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE under the symbol "SAP." (Additional information at http://www.sap.com/ )

(*) SAP defines business software solutions as consisting of enterprise resource planning and related software solutions such as supply chain management, customer relationship management, product lifecycle management and supplier relationship management.

Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "should" and "will" and similar expressions as they relate to SAP are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. SAP undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. The factors that could affect SAP's future financial results are discussed more fully in SAP's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including SAP's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2003 filed with the SEC on March 23, 2004. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates.

NOTE: SAP, R/3, mySAP, mySAP.com, xApps, xApp, SAP NetWeaver and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG in Germany and in several other countries all over the world. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies. Data contained in this document serve informational purposes only. National product specifications may vary.

For customers interested in learning more about SAP products:
Global Customer Center: +49 180 534-34-24
United States Only: 1 (800) 872-1SAP (1-800-872-1727)

For more information, press only:
Bill Wohl, +1 (610) 661-3311, william.wohl@sap.com, EST
SAP Press Office, +1 (610) 661-3200, press@sap.com, EST
Gabriele Thoering, Burson-Marsteller, +49 (69) 2380939,
gabriele_thoering@de.bm.com, CET



Source: SAP AG

CONTACT: Bill Wohl of SAP AG, +1-610-661-3311, or william.wohl@sap.com,
or SAP Press Office, +1-610-661-3200, or press@sap.com; or Gabriele Thoering
of Burson-Marsteller, +49-69-2380939, or gabriele_thoering@de.bm.com, for SAP
AG

Web site: http://www.sap.com/


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