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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002

OR

Commission File Number 0-20634

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (410) 931-7500

Securities registered under Section 12 (b) of the Exchange Act: NONE

Securities registered under Section 12 (g) of the Exchange Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.                      Yes [X] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Rule 12b-2). Yes [x] No [  ]

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock issued and outstanding and held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, based upon the closing price for the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market on June 30, 2002 was approximately $97,000,000. All executive officers and directors of the registrant have been deemed, solely for the purpose of this calculation, to be “affiliates” of the registrant. This determination of the affiliate status is not necessarily conclusive.

The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of March 28, 2002 was 9,993,907.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Part III incorporates information by reference from the registrant’s proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which proxy statement in definitive form will be filed no later than 120 days after the close of the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.

INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, the exhibits hereto and the information incorporated by reference herein contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements usually contain the words “estimate”, “anticipate”, “expect”, or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on various expectations and assumptions concerning future events and they are subject to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected for the reasons set forth below under Risk Factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SafeNet, Inc. undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to “forward looking statements” to reflect events or circumstances after the date that this report is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated events.

PART 1

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

COMPANY

SafeNet, Inc. (“SafeNet” or the “Company”), was originally incorporated in Maryland on April 7, 1983 under the name “Industrial Resource Engineering, Inc.” SafeNet reincorporated under the name Information Resource Engineering in Delaware by merging with its subsidiary in March 1989. The Company completed its initial offering in October of 1989 and a secondary offering in October of 1992. On November 1, 2000, the corporate name was changed by a vote of the stockholders to SafeNet, Inc. SafeNet’s executive offices are located at 8029 Corporate Drive, Baltimore, MD 21236. The main telephone line is (410) 931-7500 and website address is www.safenet-inc.com.

The Company has two reportable security business units: hardware, chips, software, and intellectual property designed and manufactured in the United States and Europe for sale to companies that will embed SafeNet’s products into their products for ultimate sale to end-users (“Embedded Security Division”), and hardware, software, and network security systems designed and manufactured in the United States for direct sales to end-users (“Enterprise Security Division”).

In February 2003, SafeNet completed its acquisition of Cylink Corporation (“Cylink”), a California Corporation which developed, manufactured, marketed, and supported a comprehensive portfolio of hardware and software security products for mission-critical private networks and business communication over the Internet and private networks. Operations of Cylink were integrated into the Enterprise Security Division of SafeNet and function as part of that business unit. This acquisition will have a significant impact on the Company’s business operations going forward. As the transaction closed subsequent to December 31, 2002, the Cylink acquisition has not been considered in the Company’s discussion of its business as of and for the year ended December 31, 2002. However, due to its significance to the Company’s business, a discussion of the Cylink acquisition and its anticipated impact is included at the end of Item 1. Business.

Also in February 2003, SafeNet acquired substantially all the assets of Raqia Networks, Inc. ("Raqia"), a development stage company, consisting primarily of technology-related intangible assets. Total consideration paid by SafeNet was 389,640 shares of SafeNet common stock with an estimated value of $6.7 million plus $805,000 in cash. SafeNet had previously invested $1.0 million in Raqia. The Company will obtain an independent valuation of the acquired assets, in order to allocate the purchase price during the first quarter of 2003.

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In January 2002, SafeNet acquired Pijnenburg Securealink, Inc. (“Securealink”), a Delaware Corporation primarily engaged in the manufacture of security chips for e-commerce transactions through its European subsidiary. Securealink develops, markets and sells security chips and intellectual property, primarily in Europe and Asia. As a result of the acquisition, SafeNet has broadened its market with the addition of new technologies and a larger presence in Europe. The operations of Securealink were integrated into SafeNet’s Embedded Security division.

GENERAL

Overview

SafeNet delivers a widely deployed Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology for secure business communications over the Internet, offering both Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) technology and end-user products for VPN and e-commerce applications. SafeNet security solutions offer competitive advantages to SafeNet customers by lowering the cost of deploying and managing secure, reliable private networks, while enabling use of VPNs over the Internet for trusted transactions with business partners, customers, and staff.

A VPN is a communications system that uses strong encryption and authentication to create private “tunnels” through the Internet or other shared, public networks, allowing businesses to take advantage of the lowest cost network without exposing their business communications. VPN technology has been a core competency of SafeNet for over a decade and remains a principal focus of the Company.

Since it began business in 1983, SafeNet has been providing network security solutions worldwide for financial, enterprise, telecommunications, and government use. SafeNet’s SecureIP Technology^TM has enjoyed broad market acceptance through both the enterprise and OEM VPN markets. Organizations that depend on robust security for all communications have been enabled with SafeNet technology for years. Through customer engagements with organizations such as the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of State, Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Federal Reserve Bank, the U.S. Social Security Administration, and Citibank, SafeNet has gained over 19 years of direct experience developing, deploying, and managing network security systems for Fortune 500 companies and government organizations around the world.

SafeNet has positioned its VPN technology as a provider of choice for leading Internet infrastructure manufacturers, semiconductor developers, service providers, and security vendors, licensing its de facto standard remote access software to thirty-five leading OEM manufacturers including four of the six leading VPN appliance manufacturers. Customers include Microsoft, Cisco Systems, Texas Instruments, ARM, Samsung, NETGEAR, NEC Corporation, Nokia, ZyXEL, Watchguard, Sonicwall and Netscreen. With SafeNet securing the infrastructure of today’s e-business communications, the Company is opening new markets for interoperable, secure, and deployable VPN communications.

SafeNet has taken its vision—to offer a simple, cost-effective approach to Internet security—and become an innovator in the Internet security marketplace, using its expertise to identify and develop emerging security technologies. In 1995, SafeNet introduced the first Internet VPN and has sought to educate the market and develop leading-edge technology to bring VPNs into the mainstream and make security on the Internet a reality for business.

VPNs have become one of the most sought after sectors in the networking communications industry. The tremendous growth of the Internet and the applications surrounding this pervasive public network has increased the need for VPN products and technology around the world. SafeNet is continuing its trend of delivering security solutions for existing

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markets while remaining competitive by creating innovative products and technology for new and emerging markets, such as broadband and wireless technologies.

At the same time, after the incidents of September 11th, the need to provide the U.S. Government and infrastructure organizations with an even higher level of security has created yet another challenge for SafeNet. The Company has developed new technologies such as Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) certification and the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES algorithm), aimed at supporting the nation’s homeland security efforts. In today’s corporate environment, it is imperative that organizations have options to protect their businesses through high assurance security technology and at the same time follow the U.S. guidelines through its homeland security directives.

SOFTWARE HIGHLIGHTS

During this past fiscal year, SafeNet was awarded a contract to provide a government-specific version of SafeNet’s new high assurance software, HighAssurance™ Remote, making it available for any U.S. Government department, agency, or command to use for remote access and secure communications through a SafeNet-hosted website exclusively for government employees to download the software. SafeNet announced the availability of this HighAssurance^TM Remote access VPN client in November 2002. HighAssurance^TM Remote is based on SafeNet’s de facto standard VPN software product, SoftRemote, licensed to thirty-five leading OEM manufacturers.

SafeNet announced the availability of SoftRemotePDA™ for the Pocket PC 2002. Compatible with any portable, handheld device using Pocket PC 2002, such as the Compaq iPAQ and Casio Cassiopeia®, SoftRemotePDA for the Pocket PC 2002 secures end-to-end connections between Pocket PC handheld devices and the corporate network.

NEC Solutions America licensed SafeNet’s leading VPN remote access client, SoftRemote®. NEC Solutions America will resell SoftRemote to its customers for wireless LAN (WLAN), 802.11, and handheld security applications.

The Company licensed a new version of SafeNet’s SoftRemote® VPN software to Microsoft Corporation. This new version of SafeNet VPN client software will support the IETF standard L2TP/IPSec VPN protocol for users of Microsoft Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, and Windows NT Workstation desktop operating systems.

During fiscal year 2002, the newest version of SafeNet’s de facto standard VPN client software SoftRemote® was introduced. SoftRemote 8.0, with Microsoft® Windows® XP compatibility and support for Network Address Translation (NAT) Traversal, becomes the only VPN client on the market today that offers compatibility with all Microsoft Windows operating systems along with other advanced features and extensive interoperability.

SILICON HIGHLIGHTS

During the Company’s fiscal year 2002, SafeNet introduced a new product, SafeXcel-1141. A next generation step from the SafeXcel-1140, the SafeXcel-1141, now offering DES, Triple DES, and AES algorithms, is a highly integrated VPN security co-processor optimized for a variety of products such as routers, gateways, DSL/Cable modems, wireless access points, and firewalls. SafeNet believes the SafeXcel-1141 is poised for a leading position among security processors, because it provides the optimum price versus performance point for broadband and wireless applications. SnapGear, Inc., a leading manufacturer of VPN firewall appliances for the small to medium enterprise market, selected SafeNet’s Momentum Series SafeXcel^TM-1141 chip for its new VPN appliances. These appliances are intended for larger enterprise use with throughputs up to 10 Mbps.

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ZyXEL Communications, the world’s leading xDSL Router Manufacturer (Gartner Dataquest, July 2001) selected the SafeXcel-1140 chip for its ZyWALL 50 security gateway, used for the small-office-home-office (SOHO) market.

During the fiscal year 2002, SafeNet introduced a new silicon product, the SafeXcel™-1741. The SafeXcel-1741 offers high performance Triple DES and AES algorithms in a highly integrated VPN security co-processor. Ideal for broadband applications including routers, gateways, DSL/cable modems, wireless access points, and firewalls for remote or branch offices, the SafeXcel-1741 improves performance up to 260 Mbps IPSec packet throughput for ESP packets (AES and SHA-1).

NETGEAR chose the Company’s SafeXcel^TM-1741 security co-processor to provide security to its new Wireless Firewall Router device—a router device that establishes IPSec-based VPN tunnels over the wireless LAN and multiple tunnels over the WAN connection, so that small businesses can have a completely secure and cost-effective network solution. During the same time, NEC Corporation also chose the SafeXcel^TM-1741 to secure its FTTH connections, deploying the chip in its IX2010 access router for corporate networks.

SafeNet also announced the availability of its VPN InterOp Toolkit, making SafeNet the only security vendor that can offer one complete security solution. The VPN InterOp Toolkit allows IPSec, Internet Key Exchange (IKE), and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) functionality to be quickly integrated in networking appliances such as gateways, DSL/Cable modems, routers, wireless access devices, storage devices, and SOHO boxes.

Early in fiscal year 2002, SafeNet announced the availability of the SafeXcel-810 chip for secure smart card readers. The SafeXcel-810 chip is an integrated circuit (IC), which was originally developed by Securealink, designed for stand-alone smart card readers and keyboards with built-in readers. This chip has been selected by multiple customers who are actively integrating it into their own product lines.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS

During SafeNet’s fiscal year 2002, the Company continued selling its technology to semiconductor manufacturers in the form of intellectual property called EmbeddedIP™. The result of this development led to licensing contracts to leading companies including ARM Limited. ARM licensed the cryptographic acceleration offered by the SafeNet EIP-25 together with its ARM core to its technology partners for use in a variety of applications, including wireless chipsets and smart cards.

PARTNERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS AND ACQUISITIONS

In January 2002, SafeNet acquired Securealink, which is engaged in the manufacture of security chips for e-commerce transactions through its European subsidiary. Securealink develops, markets and sells security chips and intellectual property, primarily in Europe and Asia. As a result of the acquisition, SafeNet has broadened its market with the addition of new technologies and a larger presence in Europe.

During fiscal year 2002, SafeNet entered into a joint development and marketing agreement with Raqia. Under the agreement, SafeNet also made a minority investment in Raqia. In February 2003, SafeNet acquired substantially all of the assets of Raqia, a development stage enterprise, for a purchase price of 389,640 shares of SafeNet common stock valued at approximately $6.7 million and $805,000 in cash. SafeNet intends to integrate the assets purchased from Raqia to create what SafeNet believes to be the industry’s most secure and comprehensive systems-on-chip, co-processors, and accelerator cards.

SafeNet announced a strategic alliance with Phoenix Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq: PTEC), a global leader in device-authenticated software products for connected digital devices. Under the agreement, SafeNet and Phoenix will link

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together their market leading products to seek to create what SafeNet believes to be the industry’s most secure VPN software and services.

PalmSource, Inc. selected SafeNet as a VPN security partner in 2002. SafeNet and PalmSource have been collaborating in recent months on VPN security for wireless devices, including a license agreement for PalmSource to distribute an evaluation version of SoftRemotePDA™ for the Palm OS® 5 platform to licensees. Licensees will then be able to license the VPN client from SafeNet for distribution with their Palm Powered products.

SafeNet believes the acquisition of Cylink, which closed in February 2003, strengthens SafeNet’s current activities, adds an impressive base of new government customers, and further expands the scope of the Company’s product line. The Cylink organization is experienced in providing encryption appliances to major government and financial organizations seeking to add strong security to their products and looking for an easy, cost effective migration from costly WAN technology to more cost effective VPN technology. Cylink is being integrated under the SafeNet brand and will continue to focus on its core area of expertise in order to better serve SafeNet’s government and financial enterprise customers.

INDUSTRY BACKGROUND

The VPN Market

A VPN is a communications system using strong encryption that creates a private “tunnel” through the Internet and other communications systems, assuring authentication of users and privacy of information. This allows businesses to use the lowest cost network without exposing their business communications. A VPN can allow an organization’s employees to access company-confidential information over an Intranet or Extranet, or allow trading partners access to a company Extranet for secure business-to-business electronic commerce applications. A leading market research firm predicts that by the year 2008 the sales of VPN products and services will reach $1.8 billion.

VPNs also allow organizations to use public networks for their communications backbone. This is achieved by protecting the data traffic with data communications security technology such as: encryption, message authentication, user authentication, and firewall technology. Because public networks are much cheaper than private leased lines and dedicated frame relay networks, corporations can generally achieve substantial cost savings by using VPNs while taking advantage of the global availability and access to the Internet.

With the increasing use of public and private communications networks and the ability of different types of computers to communicate with each other, data integrity and security have gained increased importance. Secure VPNs have three key uses: secure remote access, secure site-to-site connections, and secure Extranet connections.

SafeNet management believes that the market for security systems and products providing VPN solutions has grown over the last several years due to an increase in the use of the Internet for business communications and electronic commerce applications such as work-at-home arrangements or telecommuting, electronic mail, satellite offices connected to a central computer, electronic funds transfer, electronic data interchange with clients, suppliers, and business customers, and numerous other arrangements. The popularity and associated usage of the Internet has increased the requirements for VPN technology and products to ensure secure “intra” and “inter” company communications.

VPNs are facilitating the growth of e-business and business-to-business online applications. Growth in this area has been significant and SafeNet management believes it will continue to grow in the future.

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PRODUCTS

SafeNet’s VPN technology and product offerings include software and hardware products, dedicated solutions, and embedded technology for the OEM market.

SecureIP Technology^™

SecureIP Technology^™ is the core technology that is at the heart of all SafeNet solutions and products. Delivered in the form of computer chips, plug-in boards, software modules, and intellectual property, SecureIP Technology^™ provides the building blocks for security implementation that enable organizations to use the Internet and other shared networks for secure communications. SecureIP Technology^™ is sold in the following packages:

			EmbeddedIP™
			EmbeddedIP™ is the streamlined delivery of SafeNet SecureIP Technology™ for availability to OEM developers, semiconductor developers, and technology integrators. EmbeddedIP™ is available for license in IP cores or blocks —whereby selected elements of the VPN encryption technology can be adapted in single or multiple implementations. This allows OEMs to incorporate selective blocks in their own ASICs or processors to allow for very cost-effective, high throughput, low power-consuming designs. EmbeddedIP can be licensed in the following implementations:

	•		Encryption Engines: DES/3DES, AES;
	•		Hash Engines: SHA-1, MD5;
	•		Packet Engines: IPSec, MPPE;
	•		Public Key Accelerators: RSA, DSA, and Diffie-Hellman;
	•		Entropy based True Random Number Generator (RNG).

			SafeXcel™
			SafeXcel™ is SafeNet’s silicon product line for OEM developers looking for embedded, accelerated security. SafeXcel chips are separated into the Momentum Series (up to 100 Mbps), the Velocity Series (100 Mbps to 1 Gbps), and the Reliance Series (1 Gbps and higher). The SafeNet silicon product line includes high-performance ICs and privacy products for both IPSec and SSL encryption. Announced SafeXcel chips include the following: SafeXcel-1140, SafeXcel-1141, SafeXcel-1741, SafeXcel-2010, SafeXcel-2141, SafeXcel-ISES, SafeXcel-306, SafeXcel-317, SafeXcel-318, and SafeXcel-810.
			SafeXcel™ Cards
			SafeXcel™ Cards are plug-in PCI boards that provide cryptographic throughput and acceleration for operations such as encryption, hashing, public key computations, key negotiation, signatures, and random number generation. Announced SafeXcel Cards include SafeXcel 140-PCI, SafeXcel 141-PCI, SafeXcel 171-PCI, and SafeXcel 241-PCI.
			SoftIP™
			SoftIP™ is the SafeNet software product line that includes the remote access client, SoftRemote®, and the latest version, HighAssurance™ Remote. Other software products include SoftRemoteLT for 802.11 applications, SoftRemotePDA for the Palm OS and SoftRemotePDA for the Pocket PC 2002 for handheld portable devices, and SoftRemote® Policy Manager, for complete deployment and management of SoftRemote clients.

CGX Security Platform

The CGX Security Platform is a next-generation, integrated, security environment providing a single, easy solution for building encryption-based security systems. The CGX Security Platform, the embodiment of over 19 years of encryption expertise, is a complete environment in which OEMs can build any type of encryption product. SafeNet believes Platform brings a significant advantage to OEM developers by accelerating time to market, reducing development costs, and providing a system-level implementation of encryption technology. With its flexibility, standalone software, and security hardware, entire security systems can be easily developed.

SafeEnterprise^™

SafeEnterprise^™ is SafeNet’s enterprise product line that integrates the full range of Internet security needs, such as access control, encryption, user authentication, message authentication, and policy management. SafeEnterprise is

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intended for large government and financial institutions that require a high level of strong and proven security technology. During fiscal year 2002, SafeNet introduced a high assurance security product line within the SafeEnterprise product category, which includes its HighAssurance Remote access client software, and the HighAssurance 2000 Gateway, a rebranding of the NetHawk VPN Gateway acquired through Cylink. The SafeEnterprise system consists of two client products (SafeNet Soft/Smart™ and SafeNet SoftRemote®) for remote access, a high performance gateway (SafeNet Speed™), and a centralized security management system, providing comprehensive security in an easy-to-use, scaleable solution (SafeNet Security Center). SafeNet Security Center includes three levels of management systems and can also be utilized through a Managed VPN Service program.

Along with these products, SafeNet added three encryptor products through the Cylink acquisition, for leased line encryption. The SafeEnterprise Frame Encryptor, the SafeEnterprise ATM Encryptor, and the SafeEnterprise Link Encryptor are technology for enterprise-wide LAN-to-LAN, data sharing and client-server applications. They combine the advantages of circuit and packet switched services with low latency.

Finally, with the acquisition of Cylink, SafeNet has added PrivaCy Manager, to be enhanced and rebranded SafeEnterprise Security Management Center (SMC), to its line of management tools. This management center will allow SafeNet customers to manage all aspects of their WAN and VPN networks and will allow for easy migration from WAN to VPN technology.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

SafeNet conducts product development activities to increase the size of its available market through broader product offerings and to reduce the cost of its products, resulting in more competitive pricing and/or better operating margins.

The VPN market, in its growth period, will be continually looking for products that offer the strongest encryption and the fastest throughput. The Company will continue to devote resources to the latest VPN technology to meet the increasing demands of the market.

PRODUCT DESIGN STANDARDS

VPN security technologies are utilized by SafeNet to provide secure communication over public networks, including the Internet. This security technology provides selective access to computer networks, prevents electronic eavesdropping or alteration during electronic data transmission, provides message authentication confirming that messages are received in unaltered form, and enables user authentication and digital signatures verifying the identity of the message sender and limiting computer access to authorized users. SafeNet offers a choice of encryption algorithms to provide the level of network security appropriate for each client application.

All of SafeNet’s network security systems and products comply with the following general product design standards:

Standards Compliance

SafeNet’s policy is to offer products based upon encryption algorithms that have been approved as industry and government standards, providing SafeNet’s clients assurance that they are using products that meet commercial reasonability tests. This includes FIPS certification as well as a move to Common Criteria.

Network Compatibility

SafeNet’s systems and products contain sufficient intelligence to accommodate the specific communication protocols employed by complex computer networks, including support for Frame Relay, Dial Asynchronous, leased line, X.25, Bisync and Internet protocol-based networks.

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Interoperability

SafeNet management believes the market opportunity for VPN technology and products increases when vendors’ product offerings become interoperable. SafeNet’s commitment to the IPSec standard and multi-vendor interoperability is utilized in existing and planned product offerings.

Ease of Use

SafeNet believes that users of its products, while concerned that their data is secure, do not wish to be required to take specific actions to achieve secure status. Therefore, our products are designed to function without user involvement, thus offering an extremely high level of ease of use.

Ease of Management and Administration

SafeNet has extended its ease of use concept to the policy management of its most widely deployed client, SafeNet SoftRemote®. The SoftRemote® Policy Manager is a Windows-based application that simplifies deployment of all versions of SafeNet SoftRemote® and enables centralized management of security policies.

Price Performance Criteria

SafeNet believes that in order for clients to invest in encryption technology, its products must be implemented cost effectively. As such, our development staff follows a design approach similar to that used with consumer electronics products that are designed for low manufacturing cost.

Encryption Algorithms

At present, SafeNet’s products employ a variety of encryption algorithms including the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), U.S. Government Triple Data Encryption Standard (“TDES”), Single DES, RSA Data Security Inc. Encryption Standard (“RSA”).

SALES AND MARKETING

Sales

SafeNet has continued to sell through both direct sales and indirect distribution channels in order to expand worldwide sales coverage. In North America, in addition to direct sales, the Company sells products primarily through Value Added Resellers (VAR) and Original Equipment Manufacturers. With the acquisition of Cylink, the VAR partner program expanded to include channel partners in South America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In Europe, SafeNet products are sold through a direct sales force, which expanded with the acquisition of Cylink to include an office in the UK and Singapore. Outside of such territories, SafeNet products are sold through distributors of communication or information security products. A global sales organization provides support for these distribution channels. OEM sales efforts are sold through partners and direct sales.

As a result of the acquisition of Cylink, the Enterprise Security Division expanded its sales concentration into financial and other commercial markets, while continuing to concentrate on U.S. Government and Homeland Security efforts. This was accomplished through the addition of several domestic offices in Virginia and New Jersey.

Marketing

SafeNet continued its initiative of branding the company in Europe and Asia and strengthening its leadership position with a strong marketing presence.

SafeNet began the year 2002 continuing as a leader in the VPN market. Through a presence at large tradeshow events like RSA Security Conference in San Jose, California, and E-Gov in Washington, DC, SafeNet continued to show its strong security brand. With exhibitions at shows like CEBIT 2002 in Hanover, Germany, SafeNet began to expand its brand awareness to the large European markets. During 2002, SafeNet increased it corporate web presence and e-commerce capabilities, which resulted in an over 150% increase in the web sales of its software client.

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Beginning in January 2002, SafeNet continued to broaden its brand with the acquisition and rebranding of Securealink B.V. (“SafeNet, B.V.”), a fabless semiconductor company in the Netherlands, and the opening of a new sales office in Switzerland, operating as SafeNet AG. Efforts were made to gain brand awareness in Europe through leveraging the reputation and product offerings of the new Holland operations in Vught, the Netherlands.

SafeNet’s marketing program also continued lead generation and increased coverage of SafeNet’s technology and products in leading trade publications. The Company increased emphasis on developing awareness of the SafeNet brand through public relations efforts and joint marketing arrangements with our strategic partners. SafeNet also increased its use of direct marketing programs through email, direct mail, and web-based promotions. The Company instituted processes to ascertain the requirements of existing and prospective end-user and OEM customers. The Company’s success in embedding its technology in leading networking vendors’ products has helped gain market awareness. SafeNet will continue its endeavor to co-brand SafeNet technology with industry leaders to increase market awareness.

CLIENT SUPPORT AND PRODUCT WARRANTIES

SafeNet provides support for clients through a staff of support engineers knowledgeable in both SafeNet’s network security systems and products, and complex computer networks. In addition to supporting clients, this group of engineers performs system level quality assurance testing of new products and product enhancements. SafeNet provides client telephone support, including 24 hour a day “hot line” support. In addition, the Company offers on-site training, installation, and trouble-shooting services, generally on a fee basis.

SafeNet provides limited warranties on its hardware products for one year upon delivery of the product. After warranty expiration, clients may purchase an extended warranty support contract. This contract extends warranty service for an additional one-year period, providing repair or replacement of defective products and telephone support. SafeNet also offers support on a time and materials basis.

MANUFACTURING AND INVENTORY

SafeNet’s inventory and current manufacturing operations are performed by a contract manufacturer, EIT, Inc., working under SafeNet's direction. The outsource operations include engineering prototypes, pre-production runs, full turnkey boxbuilds, and product drop shipments. SafeNet designs and develops all key components of our products; printed circuit boards, software, and our proprietary ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), which are fabricated by contract foundries. SafeNet also designs, specifies and monitors all the testing required to meet our internal and external quality control guidelines. SafeNet's legacy products and product lines are handled by other contract manufacturers with the appropriate product knowledge base. Outsourcing allows SafeNet to reduce fixed overhead and personnel costs and provides greater flexibility to match product and market demands.

In January 2003, Cylink transferred substantially all of its inventory and manufacturing operations to EIT, Inc.

COMPETITION

The VPN market is highly competitive and subject to rapid technological changes. SafeNet believes that competition in this market is likely to intensify as a result of increasing demand for Internet security technology and products. There are several companies in this field that have been established longer than SafeNet, and have greater financial,

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research, service support, and marketing resources than those of SafeNet. There are also a number of other hardware and software data encryption methods and security technologies on the market which compete with our products.

SafeNet management believes that the principal competitive factors affecting the VPN market include standards compliance, quality/reliability, technical features, network compatibility, ease of use, client service and support, distribution and price. Although SafeNet believes its technology and products currently compete favorably with respect to such factors, there can be no assurance that SafeNet can maintain its competitive position against current and potential competitors.

If the VPN market continues to develop, it will likely be characterized by rapid advances in technology and new products that could render the existing technology upon which SafeNet’s technology and products are based less competitive. However, the Company believes that its core technology will be the basis for future product offerings in the years to come. This risk will increase to the extent that our competitors include manufacturers of computer equipment and Internet appliances to which our products relate, since such manufacturers may be in a better position than SafeNet to develop security products in anticipation of developments in their computer equipment.

PATENTS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES

Between 1996 and 2002, SafeNet was awarded seven United States Patents covering cryptographic key management, kernel mode protection, key recovery schemes, portable encrypting and authenticating network interface devices, such as modems. The patents provide SafeNet with ownership rights to a technology that SafeNet believes will be critical to the growth of computer networks, such as the Internet. The patents cover our SafeXcel chips, CGX Security Platform, SafeNet Dial and the AX400. Additional domestic and foreign patent applications, which cover the same products and technology, as well as additional EmbeddedIP product offerings, are pending.

SafeNet has acquired the rights to license a United States Patent for a self-authenticating fingerprint identification card for certain computer security and financial applications. Under the license agreement, SafeNet pays to the licensor a royalty on each sale or license of products that contain the patented technology.

The computer software source codes, which are essential elements of SafeNet’s products, are the proprietary trade secrets of and are copyrighted by SafeNet. The protection of proprietary technology and information developed by the Company will be limited to such protection as it may be able to secure pursuant to trade secret or copyright laws or under any confidentiality agreements into which SafeNet may enter. SafeNet owns federally registered trademarks for the SafeNet name and for certain of its products; however, there is no assurance as to the validity, enforceability, or lack of infringement of such trademarks.

At present, SafeNet is a party to confidentiality agreements with its officers, directors, and employees. There can be no assurance that the scope of any such protection SafeNet is able to secure will be adequate to protect its proprietary information, or that SafeNet will have the financial resources to engage in litigation against parties who may infringe such proprietary technology or copyrights. In addition, there can be no assurance that others will not develop similar technology independent of SafeNet.

SafeNet believes that its products do not infringe the proprietary rights of third parties. There can be no assurance, however, that third parties will not assert infringement claims in the future.

EMPLOYEES

As of March 3, 2003, SafeNet had 215 employees, of whom 17 are engaged in production and quality control, 25 in administration and financial control, 112 in engineering, development, and client support, and 61 in marketing and sales. SafeNet employs 165 employees in the United States, 39 employees in the Netherlands, 8 employees in

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United Kingdom, and 3 employees in Singapore. Approximately 65 of those employees are from the acquisition of Cylink.

RISK FACTORS

SafeNet operates in a rapidly changing environment that involves numerous risks, some of which are beyond our control. The following discussion highlights some of the possible risks.

SafeNet has a History of Losses And May Incur Future Losses

The Company has experienced substantial net losses in four of the last five years, including 2002. As of December 31, 2002, SafeNet had an accumulated deficit of $20,225,000. Although our revenues are subject to fluctuation, SafeNet intends to maintain or increase our expenditures in all areas in order to execute the Company’s business plan. As a result, the Company may incur substantial additional losses. The likelihood of SafeNet’s success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses and delays frequently encountered in connection with new technologies utilized with the transition to an Internet VPN business and the competitive environment in which SafeNet operates. Investors should not consider the Company’s historical results indicative of future revenue levels or operating results. SafeNet can neither give assurance that it will operate profitably in the future nor that the Company may sustain profitability if it is achieved.

Risk of Integrating Recent Acquisitions or Other Future Acquisitions

On February 6, 2003, SafeNet acquired Cylink, a manufacturer of security appliances and software for securing the Internet and private network communications. SafeNet expects this acquisition to facilitate the Company’s growth in the enterprise systems aspects of the business through access to a broader range of government and commercial enterprise customer accounts, a broader and more complete product offering, and the fortified support of SafeNet’s key government and financial customers.

Also, on February 27, 2003, SafeNet acquired substantially all the assets of Raqia, a development stage company, consisting primarily of technology-related intangible assets. In addition, the Company may from time to time pursue other acquisitions of businesses that it believes compliments or expands its existing business, including acquisitions that could be material in size and scope.

The acquisitions of Cylink and Raqia and other future acquisitions involve various risks, including:

	•		Difficulties in integrating the operations, technologies, and products of the acquired company;
	•		The risk of diverting management’s attention from normal daily operations of the business;
	•		Potential difficulties in completing projects associated with in-process research and development;
	•		Risks of entering markets in which SafeNet has no or limited direct prior experience and where competitors in such markets have stronger market positions;
	•		Initial dependence on unfamiliar supply chains or relatively small supply partners;
	•		Insufficient revenues to offset increased expenses associated with the acquisition;
	•		The potential loss of key employees of the acquired company.

There can be no assurance that the Company’s acquisitions of Cylink and Raqia, or other businesses, will be successful and will not materially adversely affect SafeNet’s business, operating results, or financial condition. The acquisition of Cylink in particular will have a significant impact on the Company’s business operations going forward and failure to integrate this acquisition effectively could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and operating results. SafeNet must also manage any growth resulting from such acquisitions effectively. Failure to manage such growth effectively and successfully integrate the acquired company’s operations could have a material adverse effect on SafeNet’s business and operating results.

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Quarterly Operating Results May Fluctuate and Future Revenues and Profitability Are Uncertain

SafeNet has experienced significant fluctuations in its quarterly operating results and anticipates continued substantial fluctuations in its future operating results. A number of factors have contributed to these quarterly fluctuations including:

	•		Market acceptance and demand for SafeNet products;
	•		Length of sales cycle including the size, timing, cancellation, or delay of customer orders;
	•		Introduction of new products and product enhancements by SafeNet or its competitors;
	•		Market acceptance of new products introduced by SafeNet or its competitors;
	•		Budgeting cycles of customers;
	•		The timing and execution of individual contracts;
	•		The product mix sold in a given quarter;
	•		Changes in the percentage of revenues attributable to OEM license fees and royalties;
	•		Length of time required by OEM’s to embed SafeNet products into their products which generate royalties to the Company;
	•		The percentage of products sold through the SafeNet direct sales force and its indirect distribution channels;
	•		Product development expenses;
	•		Business combinations and asset acquisitions as well as business disposals
	•		Competitive conditions in the industry;
	•		Changes in general economic conditions.

The Company’s expenses are based, in part, on its expectations regarding future revenues, and are largely fixed in nature, particularly in the short-term. SafeNet may be unable to predict future revenues accurately or to adjust spending in a timely manner to compensate for any unexpected revenue shortfall. Accordingly, any significant shortfall of revenues in relation to expectations could cause significant declines in quarterly operating results.

Due to all of the foregoing factors, SafeNet’s quarterly revenues and operating results are difficult to forecast. Therefore, management believes that period-to-period comparisons of the Company’s operating results will not necessarily be meaningful, and investors should not rely upon them as an indication of future performance. Also, it is likely that operating results will fall below expectations and the expectations of securities analysts or investors in some future quarter. In such event, the market price of SafeNet common stock could be materially adversely affected.

Risks of Changes in Technology and Industry Standards

The network security industry is characterized by rapid changes, including evolving industry standards, frequent new product introductions, continuing advances in technology, and changes in customer requirements and preferences. SafeNet expects technological developments to continue at a rapid pace in the computer and communications industries, and there can be no assurance that technological developments will not cause the Company’s technology to be rendered obsolete or non-competitive.

Future SafeNet products may not keep pace with technological changes implemented by competitors, developers of operating systems or networking systems, or persons seeking to breach network security. The introduction of new technologies could also require the Company to invest in research and development at much higher rates with no assurance of developing competitive products. Changes in technologies or customer requirements may also cause the development cycle for new products to be significantly longer than the Company’s historical product development cycle, resulting in higher development costs or a loss in market share. SafeNet products may not satisfy evolving preferences of customers and prospects. Failure to develop and introduce new products and improve current products in a timely fashion could adversely affect the Company. Because of the complexity of SafeNet products, which operate on or utilize multiple platforms and communications protocols, the Company has from time to time experienced delays in introducing new products and product enhancements primarily due to development difficulties or shortages of development personnel. There can be no assurance that the Company will not experience longer

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delays or other difficulties that could delay or prevent the successful development, introduction, or marketing of new products or product enhancements.

The loss of a commercial customer that accounted for a significant portion of SafeNet’s revenues during 2002 could have a material adverse effect on SafeNet’s business and results of operations.

SafeNet has one commercial client that accounted for 41% of its consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2002. A loss of this customer or significant cutback in its orders for SafeNet’s products would have a material adverse effect on SafeNet’s business and results of operations. In 2003, this customer announced the selection of a different vendor to supply some of its next generation chip technology, for which SafeNet had previously been the sole provider. SafeNet’s business continues to evolve in an effort to reduce to significant customer exposure through the introduction of new customers and more products. This customer continues to be a major revenue source for SafeNet.

Restrictions on the Export of Some SafeNet Products.

Currently SafeNet sells products internationally and intends to continue to expand relationships with international distributors and resellers. International sales and operations could be subject to the following risks:

	•		The imposition of governmental controls;
	•		Export license requirements;
	•		Restrictions on the export of critical technology;
	•		Trade restrictions;
	•		Changes in tariffs.

Some SafeNet network security products are cryptographic devices and are subject to the export restrictions administered by the Bureau of Export Control, U.S. Department of Commerce. These restrictions permit the export of encryption products based on country, algorithm, and class of end-user. They prohibit the export of encryption products to a number of countries and to business entities that are not included in a range of end-users. There is no assurance, however, that the applicable regulations or policies concerning the export of such technology will not become more restrictive. SafeNet foreign distributors may also be required to secure licenses or formal permission before encryption products can be imported.

Facing Intense Competition

The security industry is relatively new, highly competitive, and subject to rapid technological changes. SafeNet’s success will depend, in large part, on its ability to establish and maintain an advantageous market position. The Company currently competes with companies that have substantially greater financial resources, sales and marketing organizations, market penetration, and research and development capabilities, as well as broader product offerings and greater market presence and name recognition. SafeNet management expects to face increasing competitive pressures from current competitors and new market entrants. This competitive risk will increase to the extent that competitors begin to include software vendors, network providers, and manufacturers of networking and computer equipment and communication devices. These manufacturers and network providers may be in a better position to develop security products in anticipation of developments in their products and networks. Competitive factors in the VPN market include:

	•		Standards compliance;
	•		Product quality and reliability;
	•		Technical features;
	•		Product ease of use;
	•		Network compatibility;
	•		Client service and product support;
	•		Distribution;
	•		Price.

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There can be no assurance that the Company can continue to compete successfully against new or existing competitors.

Market Consolidation May Create More Formidable Competitors

There has been substantial consolidation in the information security industry, and SafeNet expects that there will be significant additional consolidation in the near future. As a result of that increasing consolidation, the Company expects that it will increasingly compete with larger firms that have broader product offerings and greater financial resources. SafeNet management believes that such competition may have a significant negative effect on current and developing collaborative, marketing, distribution and reselling relationships, product pricing and product development budget and capabilities. Any of those negative effects could significantly impair the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Risk of Inadequate Protection for SafeNet Proprietary Technologies

SafeNet’s success and ability to compete is dependent, in part, upon the Company’s ability to maintain the proprietary nature of its technologies. SafeNet relies on a combination of patent, trade secret, copyright and trademark law, and nondisclosure agreements to protect its proprietary technology. Although SafeNet holds several patents and has several pending patent applications that cover certain aspects of the Company’s technology, such patents, and patent applications do not protect some of SafeNet’s security products. Current and future patent applications may not be granted. Additionally, current patents may not be broad enough to protect the core technology critical to SafeNet security products.

Confidentiality agreements and other methods on which SafeNet relies to protect its trade secrets and proprietary information and rights may not be adequate to protect all proprietary rights. Litigation to defend and enforce the Company’s intellectual property rights could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could have a material adverse effect on financial conditions and results of operations regardless of the final outcome of such litigation. Despite SafeNet’s efforts to safeguard and maintain its proprietary rights, it may not be successful in doing so or the steps taken by the Company in this regard may not be adequate to deter misappropriation or independent third-party development of SafeNet technology or prevent an unauthorized third party from copying or otherwise obtaining and using SafeNet products, technology, or other information that the Company regards as proprietary. SafeNet trade secrets or non-disclosure agreements may not provide meaningful protection of its proprietary information. Also, others may independently develop similar technologies or duplicate any technology developed by SafeNet. The Company’s inability to protect its proprietary rights would have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.

Further, as the number of network security products in the industry increases and the functionality of these products further overlaps, SafeNet may become subject to claims of infringement or misappropriation of the intellectual property or proprietary rights of others. Third parties could assert infringement or misappropriation claims against the Company in the future with respect to current or future products. SafeNet may also be subject to additional risks as the Company enters into transactions in countries where intellectual property laws are not well developed or are poorly enforced. Legal protections of its rights may be ineffective in such countries, and technology developed in such countries may not be protected in jurisdictions where protection is ordinarily available. Any claims or litigation, with or without merit, could be costly and could result in a diversion of management’s attention, which could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations. Adverse determinations in such claims or litigation could also have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Relating to Evolving Distribution Channels

SafeNet relies on both our direct sales force and an indirect channel distribution strategy for the sale and marketing of its products. The Company’s sales and marketing organization may be unable to successfully compete against the more extensive and well-funded sales and marketing operations of certain of its current and future competitors. SafeNet may also be unable to continue to attract integrators and resellers that can market its legacy products effectively and provide timely and cost-effective customer support and service. Additionally, the Company’s distributors, integrators, and resellers may carry competing lines of network security solutions. The loss of important sales personnel, distributors, integrators, or resellers could adversely affect SafeNet.

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Risk of Product Development Delays

SafeNet may experience schedule overruns in product development triggered by factors such as insufficient staffing or the unavailability of development-related software, hardware, or technologies. Further, when developing new network security products, development schedules may be altered as a result of the discovery of software bugs, performance problems or changes to the product specification in response to customer requirements, technology market developments or self-initiated changes. All of these factors can cause a product to enter the market behind schedule, which may adversely affect market acceptance of the product or place it at a disadvantage to a competitor’s product that has already gained market share or market acceptance during the delay.

Product Liability Risk

The sale and installation of SafeNet’s network security systems and products within the computer networks of its customers and the operation of its SafeNet facility entails a risk of product failure, product liability or other claims. An actual or perceived breach of network or computer security, regardless of whether such breach is attributable to the Company’s products, could adversely affect its reputation and financial condition or results of operations. The complex nature of SafeNet products can make the detection of errors or failures difficult when products are introduced. If errors or failures are subsequently discovered, this may result in delays and lost revenues during the correction process. A malfunction or the inadequate design of SafeNet products could result in product liability claims. Management attempts to reduce the risk of such losses through warranty disclaimers and liability limitation clauses. However, SafeNet may not have obtained adequate contractual protection in all instances or where otherwise required under agreements it has entered into with others.

SafeNet currently maintains product liability insurance. However, the insurance coverage may not be adequate and any product liability claim for damages resulting from security breaches could be substantial. In the event of product liability litigation, insufficient insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on SafeNet’s financial condition and results of operations. Further, certain customers and potential customers may require minimum product liability insurance coverage as a condition precedent to purchasing SafeNet products. Failure to satisfy such insurance requirements could impede the Company’s ability to achieve product sales, which would have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations. There is no assurance that such insurance will be available at a reasonable cost or will be sufficient to cover all possible liabilities.

Dependence upon Third Party Suppliers and Contractors

SafeNet relies upon third party contractors for the manufacture of components and sub-assemblies for SafeNet products. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain and/or maintain satisfactory contractual relations with qualified vendors or suppliers. The unavailability of such third parties may substantially decrease SafeNet’s control of the cost, quality and timeliness of the manufacturing process. At present, the Company is not a party to any exclusive supply contracts with third party contractors for its legacy products. All purchases of components or parts for SafeNet products are accomplished by the use of purchase orders issued in the ordinary course of business. While SafeNet has not experienced any significant supply problems in the past, and there have been no materially late deliveries of components or parts, it is possible that in the future the Company may encounter shortages in parts, components, or other elements vital to the manufacture, production, and sale of SafeNet products. The Company’s business would suffer if the supply of such components were interrupted.

Dependence upon Key Personnel

The network security industry is highly specialized and the competition for qualified employees is intense. SafeNet expects this to remain so for the near future. The Company believes its success depends significantly upon a number of key technical and management employees, and upon its ability to retain and hire additional key personnel. The loss of the services of key personnel or the inability to attract additional qualified personnel could materially and adversely affect results of operations and product development efforts. SafeNet may be unable to achieve its revenue and operating performance objectives unless it can attract and retain technically qualified and highly skilled engineers, sales, technical, marketing, and management personnel. Such personnel are particularly important to research and development efforts, where SafeNet employs a large number of technical personnel holding advanced degrees. Further, additions of new and departures of existing personnel, particularly in key positions, can be

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disruptive and can result in further departures of SafeNet personnel, which could in turn harm the business and results of operation.

In 2002, SafeNet entered into a five-year employment agreement with Anthony A. Caputo, its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President. However, the Company has not historically provided such types of employment agreements other employees. This may adversely affect the Company’s ability to attract and retain the necessary technical, management, and other key personnel.

SafeNet’s stock price has been and could continue to be volatile.

Market prices for SafeNet’s common stock and the securities of other network security companies have been volatile. Factors such as announcements of technological innovations or new products by SafeNet or by its competitors and market conditions for network security company and other technology stocks in general can have a significant impact on the market for SafeNet’s common stock, which could reduce SafeNet’s stock price regardless of its operating performance.

SafeNet periodically reviews and considers possible acquisitions of companies that it believes will contribute to its long-term objectives. In addition, depending on market conditions, liquidity requirements and other factors, SafeNet considers, from time to time, accessing the capital markets. Such events may also affect the market prices for SafeNet’s common stock and reduce such prices regardless of operating performance.

Anti-takeover provisions in SafeNet’s charter documents and Delaware law could prevent or delay a change in control.

SafeNet’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that a stockholder may consider favorable by authorizing the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock. In addition, certain provisions of Delaware law may also discourage, delay or prevent a third party from acquiring or merging with SafeNet, even if such action were beneficial to some, or even a majority, of SafeNet’s stockholders.

SafeNet Does Not Pay Dividends

The Company has never paid nor declared any cash or other dividends on its common stock since its inception and does not presently anticipate that dividends will be paid on its common stock in the foreseeable future.

SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS ACQUISITION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 2002

In February 2003, SafeNet completed its acquisition of Cylink. Operations of Cylink were integrated into the Enterprise Security Division of SafeNet and function as part of that business unit. This acquisition will have a significant impact on the Company's business operations going forward.

Cylink developed, manufactured, marketed and supported a comprehensive portfolio of hardware and software security products for mission-critical private networks and business communications over the Internet. Cylink's solutions enabled its customers to merge their operations and transactions onto existing networks, maximize network use, reduce the costs of operations and expand their businesses. Cylink's customers included leading Fortune 500 companies, multinational corporations, financial institutions and numerous agencies within the United States Government.

Cylink's solutions offered competitive advantages to its customers by lowering the cost of deploying and managing secure, reliable private networks, while enabling its customers' use of the Internet for trusted transactions with their business partners. Cylink offered "drop-in" hardware encryption products that are easily deployed within its customers' existing high-speed data networks known as Local Area Networks, LANs, and Wide Area Networks, WANs, including VPNs, that use the Internet.

Cylink's products were centrally managed by a proprietary software management system. This system allowed Cylink's customers' network security managers to remotely configure and operate all of Cylink's products without risk of tampering by other network operations personnel. In addition, Cylink's public key-based solutions included the NetHawk, which creates a secure VPN for transmitting high-value information. Cylink also offered a unified management platform for all of its security appliances to authenticate these devices, configure their use and centrally manage their operation. Such solutions included Cylink's public key infrastructure, or PKI, for managing the digital identities and privileges of all correspondents on the customer's network. Cylink's products created trust in its customers' networks by securing the access, privacy and integrity of its customers' important information when such information is transmitted over their LANs, WANs, and the Internet.

These products, along Cylink's commitment and focus to customer service and support, will be integrated as a part of SafeNet's industry leading product offerings as well as world class standards of customer service and support. These products will work to build and improve SafeNet's base product mix as well as improve certain technology and software offerings from the SafeNet product family. SafeNet believes that these products provide SafeNet a bridge to the next generation of security solutions. Specifically, Cylink's Nethawk technology is a critical piece of SafeNet's High Assurance Gateway technology line. Cylink's PrivaCy Manager is a critical piece of SafeNet's Security Management Center technology product package bridging WAN and related technology infrastructures to the VPN and Internet environment with minimal costs and maximum benefits.

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See Note 16 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

PART II

ITEM 2 – PROPERTIES

SafeNet maintains its leased corporate and administrative facilities at 8029 Corporate Drive, Baltimore, Maryland. The building, constructed in 1988, has approximately 25,000 square feet and is also used for SafeNet’s executive headquarters, United States production, and SafeNet Trusted Services facility. The lease, which expires in December 2003, provides for annual increases in rentals during each year of the lease and will require the Company to pay approximately $115,000 in 2003.

Cylink leases approximately 47,000 square feet in Santa Clara, California. The lease, which expires in August 2009, requires annual rental of $1,346,000. SafeNet also holds the lease to the former Cylink ATM Center, comprising approximately 10,000 square feet in Raleigh, North Carolina, which expires in June 2003. We also lease facilities for sales offices in New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Singapore. We believe that our current facilities are well maintained and are adequate for the foreseeable future.

SafeNet leases approximately 20,000 square feet related to its abandoned administrative and production facilities in Regensdorf, Switzerland. The lease, which expires on December 31, 2003, calls for an annual rental of approximately $348,000.

SafeNet BV leases approximately 13,700 square feet for its operations in Vught, The Netherlands. The lease, which expires on March 31, 2007, requires annual rental of approximately $180,000.

SafeNet also leases office space in Danvers, Massachusetts with annual rent of approximately $99,000.

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ITEM 3 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

SafeNet is not aware of any material litigation or proceeding, pending or threatened, to which it is or may become a party.

In 1998, Cylink filed amended Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the first and third quarters of 1998 and an amended Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 1997 fiscal year, reflecting restated financial results for those quarters, and for the fourth quarter of 1997. Between November 6, 1998 and December 14, 1998 several securities class action complaints were filed against Cylink and certain of its current and former Directors and officers in federal courts in California. These complaints alleged, among other things, that Cylink’s previously issued financial statements were materially false and misleading and that the defendants knew or should have known that these financial statements caused Cylink’s common stock price to rise artificially. The actions variously alleged violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and SEC Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, and Section 20 of the Exchange Act. The securities class action lawsuits were ordered consolidated into a single action pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, captioned In Re Cylink Securities Litigation, No. C98-4292 (VRW). On October 16, 2002, Cylink entered into an agreement with all plaintiffs in the securities class action lawsuit to settle all claims in the class action for $6.2 million. The settlement amount will be paid entirely from insurance proceeds under insurance policies held by Cylink. The settlement agreement is subject to approval by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The court preliminarily approved the settlement agreement on November 12, 2002. A motion by the plantiffs was filed on Feb 24, 2003 and was heard on March 6, 2003. The court requested additional information from Cylink’s litigation expert. The information was provided to the court on March 20, 2003.

ITEM 4 – SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

A Special Meeting of Stockholders was held on February 5, 2003, to consider and vote upon the merger of Cylink with a wholly-owned subsidiary of SafeNet pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization dated October 30, 2002, the issuance of shares of SafeNet common stock pursuant to the merger and related transactions (collectively, the “Merger Proposal”). At the meeting, the stockholders approved the Merger Proposal. There were 4,941,305 shares cast in favor of the Merger Proposal, 65,137 shares cast against the Merger Proposal, and 6,817 shares abstained.

ITEM 5 – MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED MATTERS

SafeNet’s Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol SFNT. The following table sets forth the quarterly range of per share high and low bid prices for SafeNet’s Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market for the periods indicated.

On March 28, 2003, the last reported per share sale price of SafeNet’s Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market was $20.89. As of that date, there were approximately 217 holders of record of the Common Stock and approximately 4,000 beneficial holders of the Common Stock. We have not paid dividends on our Common Stock and intend for the near future to retain earnings, if any, to finance the expansion and development of our business.

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ITEM 6 – SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected financial data set forth below as of and for each of the five years ended December 31, 2002 is derived from our audited financial statements. The selected financial data is qualified by and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere herein.

The accompanying financial data has been restated to reflect the net assets of the disposed operations of GretaCoder Data Systems (GDS) as current assets, non-current assets, and current liabilities of discontinued operations. The following data should be read in conjunction with Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.