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Professional mailers use well-developed security practices. This is a summary of best practices used by the mailing industry and shared with the USPS. These suggestions may not apply to all businesses. Mailers should determine which are appropriate for their company and conduct periodic security reviews of their operation to identify needed improvements. The list below contains general security concepts and a few specific examples of how to accomplish them. Securing the Production Facility Transportation Security -Perform background checks on all employees prior to hiring. -Establish an employee identification program. -Instruct employees to challenge any unknown person in a facility. - Mail Preparation Recommendations for Mailpiece Design Important follow up to: Postal Service to Retire Electronic Postal Meters POSTAGE TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT OFFICE OF RETAIL, CONSUMERS AND SMALL BUSINESS August 7, 2000 Dear Ascom Customer: I have learned that a letter I sent on January 10, 2000 to all approved postage meter manufacturers has been altered to misrepresent decisions of the US Postal Service. My letter stated that, for security reasons: Electronic postage meters with manual postage resets could no longer be placed effective February 1, 2000. These meters have an electronic display and are reset by postal employees. Customers with manual reset, electronic meters already in use must remove them from service when their current rental or lease agreement expires, unless it expires in the year 2000. If these leases expire in 2000, the replacement deadline is extended for up to one year from the year 2000 expiration date. This extension should provide enough time for customers to obtain more modern convenient and secure replacement meters. In some cases the altered version of -my January 10 letter said that manually reset electronic meters must be replaced by August 15, 2000. This is not true - Post offices will continue to reset these meters indefinitely. The USPS is evolving to an all-digital, electronic postage meter environment. However, this goal will not be accomplished for several years. Your current meter manufacturer has acceptable, approved remote-set electronic meters which should satisfy your business needs through at least the year 2007. We encourage you to explore the digital meter world when your current meter lease is up for renewal. However, there is no mandatory requirement that You convert to a digital meter at this time. Any information you may receive from a meter manufacturer or dealer that states anything contrary to this letter is false. Alteration or misuse of official correspondence which has occurred is under investigation by the US Postal Inspection Service. I appreciate this opportunity to share correct information with you and would also appreciate receiving from you any correspondence you may receive from a postage meter manufacturer or dealer which contains information contrary to this letter. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I can be reached by telephone at (202) 268-2371 or by FAX at (202) 268-8893. Sincerely, Wayne A.

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