Re Agreement

Intercede Group PLC
12 September 2001


INTERCEDE GROUP plc

                        ('Intercede' or 'the Company')



             Oberthur Card Systems signs OEM agreement to license

               Intercede's Edefice Security Management Software



Intercede Group (AIM: IGP), a leading provider of security management products
and technologies, today announces that Oberthur Card Systems has licensed its
Edefice security and smart card issuance management system for integration
into Oberthur's AuthentIC smart card based authentication solutions, for
world-wide distribution.  This follows the formation of a strategic alliance
between Intercede and Oberthur Card Systems, announced in March 2001.



Edefice enables the simplified management of smart cards and public key
infrastructure (PKI) credentials used to provide authentication,
confidentiality and trust for electronic transactions, software applications,
networks and building security. Edefice, through its intuitive web-based
interface, allows any PC with a web browser to be used for smart card
management, eliminating the need for inefficient centralised smart card
issuing stations. Oberthur's deployment of Intercede's Edefice greatly
enhances the security and efficiency of future smart card deployments.



By 2004 it is forecast that there will be 169m smart cards in circulation for
network security purposes (source: Gartner Dataquest). This represents a
10-fold growth rate over the next three years.  Intercede and Oberthur believe
that most network security smart cards will be under the control of a smart
card issuance management system. Against this background, the partnership
between Intercede and Oberthur Card Systems is expected to generate a stream
of international business opportunities for both companies.



Marc Bertin, Director of E-Commerce at Oberthur Card Systems, said:



'Edefice technology will enable our large banking and corporate customers to
manage the entire lifecycle of their smart card and PKI using a simple to use,
business process oriented interface. This is an important and fast growing
market for Oberthur. Edefice will make it easier for Oberthur's customers to
consume both smart cards and PKI technology. The addition of Edefice
technology to our AuthentIC portfolio is an integral part of Oberthur's
strategy unlocking a new burgeoning market for both our companies.'



Richard Parris, CEO of Intercede, commented:



'We are delighted that Oberthur Card Systems, as one of the top three global
smart card manufacturers, has selected Edefice technology to support its
thrust into the network security market. This validates our technological
vision, reinforces the superiority of our technology and provides further
evidence of our software development expertise.  We are already working with
Oberthur's sales force on a number of international opportunities. The new
license agreement formalises this collaboration and delivers on Intercede's
IPO commitment to internationalise our customer base through OEM and indirect
channels.'

                                                             12 September 2001



ENQUIRIES:


Intercede Group plc                            Tel. [phone]
Richard Parris, Chairman & Chief Executive


Oberthur Card Systems                          Tel. + 33 1 41 25 29 20

Liz Attenburrow

College Hill                                   Tel. [phone]
Archie Berens                                  E-mail:
                                               [e-mail]
Clare Warren                                   E-mail:
                                               [e-mail]



NOTES FOR EDITORS



About Intercede



Intercede Group plc (IGP LN) (IGP.L) is a leading developer and supplier of
security management solutions for computers, networks and software
applications. Intercede successfully raised £2.2 million (net of expenses) by
way of a placing on the Alternative Investment Market ('AIM') in January 2001,
which valued the Company at approximately £10 million. Intercede is one of
only three quoted security software companies in the UK. Intercede's customers
cover a range of industries and include Barclays Bank, Lloyds TSB, the
Department for Education and Employment, the NHS, Compaq and ICL. Further
information on Intercede can be found at www.intercedegroup.com.



Intercede's Edefice software gives organisations of any size the power to
manage their smart card / PKI lifecycles and other security infrastructure
through a simple-to-use web-based console. Using a fully distributable,
workflow driven architecture, Edefice integrates seamlessly with Windows 2000,
XP and NT/S.E. (Compaq's Security Enhancements for Microsoft Products), and
manages with ease multiple device combinations - smart cards, tokens and
biometrics. Further information on Edefice can be found at www.edefice.com.



For more information on Intercede Group plc contact:



Clare Warren College Hill Associates Tel: ++ 44 (0207) 457 2020 Fax: ++44
[phone] E-mail: [e-mail]





About Oberthur Card Systems



Oberthur Card Systems (Paris Stock Exchange - Code SICOVAM 12413), a global
leader and innovator in the smart card industry, is shaping the future through
offering the ultimate in SIM, WAP, 3G (IMT-2000/UMTS), e-wallet technologies &
Internet-based card management services coupled with a firm commitment to open
standards.



Championing EMV migration, Oberthur is the World No 1 supplier of MasterCard
and Visa cards, No 1 in banking, e-commerce, m-commerce and pay-TV, Oberthur
is also the No 1 in JavaTM and GSM technologies.



Oberthur Card Systems has an international reach ensured by 30 sales offices
and 20 manufacturing sites across the five continents.  Oberthur Card Systems
had sales of 451.1 million Euros in 2000.



Internet site: http://www.oberthurcs.com

For more details: Liz Attenburrow, PR Manager, Oberthur Card Systems - +33 1
41 25 29 20/[e-mail]