Affirmative understands the critical importance of providing a secure environment for your payment transaction data, and the data files being transferred between your business and the ODFI-ACH Network Processor. Here are just a few of the steps we've taken to make your valuable data more secure.

Protection of data against unauthorized access . Programs and data are secured by issuing identification numbers and passwords to authorized users. Passwords are verified by the operating system to prevent unauthorized personnel from logging in. Database software prevents unauthorized access by assigning each user an individual view of the database.

You'll also have access to your own VPN. A VPN ( Virtual Private Network) is a private network that is configured to provide site-to-site connections from the Third Party ACH Processor to the ODFI-ACH Network Processor. Data transmitted via a VPN over networks is secured by encryption to prevent eavesdropping. Encrypted connections over the Internet are also very popular for linking remote offices and mobile users; however, for top secret communications, the maximum security is still only afforded by networks of totally private VPN lines.

SSL 128-bit data encryption. Affirmative's Internet Application employs SSL, 128 bit encrypted transmissions, meeting the highest standard of the government's current requirements. 128-bit data encryption is a secure coding method in which transactions require a 128-bit encryption key to unlock the block cipher and read the data. The block cipher method applies a cryptographic key to a block of data as a group, rather than breaking the data into smaller sizes. This makes the data virtually impervious to attack.

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). A security protocol that sits just below protocols such as HTTP and uses the lower-level TCP/IP to allow SSL-enabled PCs and servers to authenticate to each other. SSL creates single-session key exchange; using public and private-key data encryption (usually 128-bit) from RSA Data Security for enciphering and deciphering encrypted SSL transmissions.

Secure Electronic Payment ACH File Transmissions. Server based secure file transfer program used to exchange and temporarily store ACH files in a highly encrypted form, protecting flow of confidential consumer financial information.

Benefits:

* Encrypted Transfer - Files being transferred are automatically encrypted using 128 BIT SSL encryptions, and re-encrypted at 256 BIT prior to being saved at the Server and sent for processing.

* Encrypted Storage - Stores files use robust AES encryption, the new Federal security standard.

* Audit Trail - Automatically keeps a complete detailed audit . trail recommended by the OCC of every action and file movement that it processes. .

* The Transfer Confirmation - Immediate confirmation of files uploaded successfully.

* File Arrival Notification - Email notification to designated individuals whenever files
arrive.

* Client Support - Web Browsers; Any SSL-capable browser, No applets or plug-ins needed.

For more information on Affirmative's Secure Electronic Payment ACH File Transmissions, visit a dedicated website at www.achsecurefile.com.