RAINBOW TECHNOLOGIES INC
DEF 14A, 1998-05-01
COMPUTER PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT, NEC
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<PAGE>   1
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
 
          PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
                    EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO.   )
 
Filed by the Registrant [X]
 
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>
[ ]  Preliminary Proxy Statement                [ ]  Confidential, for Use of the Commission
[X]  Definitive Proxy Statement                      Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ]  Definitive Additional Materials
[ ]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec. 240.14a-11(c) or sec. 240.14a-12
</TABLE>

                           RAINBOW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
[X]  Fee not required.
 
[ ]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
 
     (1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
 
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     (2)  Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
 
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     (3)  Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
          pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
          filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
 
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     (4)  Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
 
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     (5)  Total fee paid:
 
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
[ ]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
 
[ ]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
     0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
     previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
     or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
 
     (1)  Amount Previously Paid:
 
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     (2)  Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
 
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     (3)  Filing Party:
 
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     (4)  Date Filed:
 
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
                           RAINBOW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                              50 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE
                            IRVINE, CALIFORNIA 92618
                                       --
 
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                                  JUNE 4, 1998
 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS:
 
     NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
Rainbow Technologies, Inc. (the "Company"), will be held on June 4, 1998 at 2:00
PM, Pacific Daylight Time at the Company's Headquarters, 50 Technology Drive,
Irvine, California 92618, phone: 949-450-7300, (the "Annual Meeting") for the
purposes described below.
 
     1. To elect a Board of Directors who shall hold office until the next
        Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly
        elected and shall have qualified.
 
     2. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young, LLP as the independent
        auditors of the Company.
 
     3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual
        Meeting.
 
     Only Shareholders of record at the close of business on April 23, 1998 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.
 
     You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, if you are
not able to be present, please be sure that your shares are represented at the
Annual Meeting by indicating your voting instructions, dating and signing the
enclosed proxy card and returning it promptly in the enclosed, postage paid
envelope.
 
                                          By Order of the Board of Directors
 
                                          /s/ WALTER W. STRAUB
 
                                          Walter W. Straub
                                          Chairman
 
April 23, 1998
<PAGE>   3
 
                           RAINBOW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                              50 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE
                            IRVINE, CALIFORNIA 92618
                                       --
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
                                       --
 
     This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by
the Board of Directors of Rainbow Technologies, Inc. (the "Company") of proxies,
in the form enclosed, for use at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the
Company (the "Annual Meeting") to be held at the time and place and for the
purpose set forth in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
 
     Mailing of this proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card is to
commence on April 30, 1998.
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
RECORD DATE AND SHARES OUTSTANDING
 
     Shareholders of record at the close of business on April 23, 1998 (the
"Record Date") are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. At
the Record Date, the Company had issued and outstanding 7,757,046 shares of
Common Stock.
 
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
 
     Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person
giving it at any time before it is voted. Proxies may be revoked by (i) filing
with the Secretary of the Company, at or before the taking of the vote at the
Annual Meeting, a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the
proxy, (ii) duly executing a subsequent proxy relating to the same shares and
delivering it to the Secretary of the Company before the Annual Meeting, or
(iii) attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person (although attendance at
the Annual Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a revocation of a
proxy).
 
VOTING
 
     Each share of Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date is entitled to
one vote. No shareholder will be entitled to cumulative votes. The six nominees
for election as Directors at the Annual Meeting who receive the highest number
of affirmative votes will be elected. The other matter submitted for shareholder
approval at the Annual Meeting will require the affirmative vote of a majority
of shares of the Company's Common Stock present or represented and entitled to
vote at the meeting.
 
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
 
     The cost of solicitation will be borne by the Company. The Company may
reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of
shares of Common Stock for their expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to
such beneficial owners. Proxies may be solicited by certain of the Company's
directors, officers, and regular employees, without additional compensation,
personally or by telephone or telegram.
 
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 1999 ANNUAL MEETING
 
     Proposals of shareholders of the Company intended to be presented by such
shareholder at the Company's 1999 Annual Meeting must be received by the Company
no later than February 15, 1999 in order that they may be included in the proxy
statement related to that meeting.
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   4
 
                                   PROPOSAL 1
                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
NOMINEES
 
     Six directors are to be elected to hold office until the next Annual
Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified.
Unless otherwise directed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by
them for the six nominees named below. Management expects that each of the
nominees will be available for election, but if any of them is not a candidate
at the time the election occurs, it is intended that such proxy will be voted
for the election of another nominee to be designated by the Board to fill any
such vacancy.
 
     The names of the nominees and certain information about them are set forth
below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     NAME OF NOMINEE        AGE                         POSITION
     ---------------        ---                         --------
<S>                         <C>   <C>
Walter W. Straub..........  54    Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and
                                  Director
Peter M. Craig............  53    Vice Chairman, Executive Vice President, Secretary
                                  and Director
Richard P. Abraham........  68    Director
Frederick M. Haney........  57    Director
Marvin Hoffman............  63    Director
Alan K. Jennings..........  68    Director
</TABLE>
 
     All of the nominees of management are members of the Board of Directors at
the present time and have served continuously since the dates of their election
as described below.
 
     Walter W. Straub, a co-founder of the Company, has been a director of the
Company since its inception in 1982, and President and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company since 1983. Since 1989, Mr. Straub has served as director of CAM
Data Systems, a manufacturer of computerized inventory control systems. Mr.
Straub received a B.S.E.E. in 1965 and an M.B.A. in Finance in 1970 from Drexel
University. In May 1993, Mr. Straub was elected to the Board of Trustees of
Drexel University.
 
     Peter M. Craig has been a director of the Company since 1985, Vice Chairman
since December, 1995, Executive Vice President since 1992, and Secretary of the
Company since 1989. Mr. Craig received a B.S.E.E. from Case Institute of
Technology in 1967 and a M.S.E.E. from the University of Minnesota in 1975.
 
     Richard P. Abraham has been a director of the Company since 1988. He is
currently the President of Pacific Associates, a sole proprietorship engaged in
business consulting. Mr. Abraham is a member of the board of directors of
Quantum Manufacturing Technologies, (QMT) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, a majority
owned subsidiary of the Company. As a member of the board of QMT, Mr. Abraham
has an option to purchase 109,394 shares of QMT's common stock at an option
price of $0.10, vesting over four years. Since 1987, Mr. Abraham has been a
General Partner of Weeden Capital Management and has also been a consultant to
Weeden & Co. Mr. Abraham received a B.S. and M.S. from Stanford University in
1954.
 
     Dr. Frederick M. Haney has been a director of Rainbow since January, 1996.
He is President of Venture Management Company, Palos Verdes Estates, California.
From 1984 to 1991 he was founder and manager of 3i Ventures, California, a high
technology venture capital fund. Dr. Haney has extensive experience in strategic
planning, operations and finance in the information and computer industry. Dr.
Haney holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Carnegie-Mellon University.
 
     Marvin Hoffman has been a director of the Company since 1990. He is
currently, and has been since 1976, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of
the Board of XXCAL, Inc., a corporation engaged in the business of providing
high technology computer and computer-related temporary personnel. He is also
currently, and has been since 1988 and 1987, respectively, the President of the
Los Angeles City College Foundation and a director of RIMTECH, a not-for-profit
organization encouraging trade and joint ventures
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   5
 
between United States and Japanese businesses. Mr. Hoffman received a B.A. in
Mathematics from California State University Northridge in 1962.
 
     Dr. Alan K. Jennings, a co-founder of the Company, has been a director of
the Company since its inception in 1982. From 1982 to 1992 he served as an
officer of the Company in various capacities. Since 1980, Dr. Jennings has been
the President of Dartex, Inc., a California corporation which provides technical
and management services. He received a B.S.E.E. from Stanford University in
1949, an M.S. in Mathematics from Oklahoma State University in 1951 and a Ph.D.
in Mathematics from Kansas University in 1954.
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The names of the Company's executive officers who are not nominated for
election as members of the Board of Directors, and certain information about
them is set forth below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                NAME                  AGE                      POSITION
                ----                  ---                      --------
<S>                                   <C>    <C>
Paul A. Bock........................  50     Senior Vice President Business Development
Norman L. Denton III................  52     Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing
Aviram Margalith....................  48     Senior Vice President, President of
                                             Mykotronx
Patrick E. Fevery...................  42     Vice President Finance and Chief Financial
                                             Officer
Richard L. Burris...................  53     Vice President Manufacturing
Laurie W. Casey.....................  41     Vice President Strategic Marketing
Kenneth A. Konechy..................  53     Vice President Strategic Technology Programs
</TABLE>
 
     Paul A. Bock was promoted to Senior Vice President Business Development in
December 1995, and has served as Vice President of Business Development since
1992. From 1988 to 1992, Mr. Bock held the positions of Director of Business
Development for the Company and Manager of National Sales and Major Accounts for
the Company. Mr. Bock received his B.S. degree in Political Science from
California State University Northridge in 1969.
 
     Norman L. Denton, III was promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales and
Marketing December 1995, and has served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing
since 1992. From 1990 to 1992, Mr. Denton held positions of Director of Sales
and Marketing North American, and Director of National Accounts Marketing at
Rainbow. Mr. Denton attended University of California at Berkeley and San
Francisco State University.
 
     Patrick E. Fevery has been Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial
Officer of the Company since January 1992. From 1990 to 1992, Mr. Fevery was
Controller of the Company. From 1988 to 1990, Mr. Fevery was the Company's
Manager of Finance and Administration. Mr. Fevery received a Bachelor's Degree
in Business Administration from European University in Belgium in 1980, and a
Masters Degree in Business Administration from Claremont Graduate School in
Claremont, California in 1982.
 
     Richard L. Burris has been Vice President of Manufacturing since 1992. From
1988 to 1992, Mr. Burris held the positions as the Company's Manufacturing
Manager and Director of Manufacturing. Mr. Burris received an AA from Fullerton
College in 1973.
 
     Laurie W. Casey was promoted to Vice President Strategic Marketing in
December 1995. Ms. Casey joined Rainbow as Manager of Product Management &
Planning in 1992. From 1990 to 1992, she was a Product Manager for Printronix
Corporation. Ms. Casey received her B.A. in Spanish in 1978 from the University
of California at Santa Barbara, and obtained her Master's degree in
International Management from the American Graduate School of International
Management in 1989.
 
     Kenneth A. Konechy became Vice President of Strategic Technology Programs
in December, 1995. He served as Vice President of Engineering of the Company
since 1990. From 1989 to 1990, Mr. Konechy held the position of Engineering
Director for the Company. Mr. Konechy received a B.S.E.E. in 1964 and a M.S.E.E.
in 1967 from the University of Pittsburgh.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   6
 
     Dr. Aviram Margalith was appointed Senior Vice President of Rainbow and
President of Mykotronx, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rainbow, in April 1997.
Prior to this appointment, Dr. Margalith was Vice President and General Manager
of Group Technologies Corporation of Tampa, Florida. His assignments at Group
Technologies included International operations and Federal Systems. Dr.
Margalith received a B.S.E.E. in Electrical Engineering in 1975, a M.S.E.E. in
Electrical Engineering in 1977 and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 1980
from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
 
OTHER EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     Except as stated, there are no arrangements or understandings by or between
any director or executive officer and any other person(s), pursuant to which he
or she was or is to be selected as a director or executive officer,
respectively.
 
     There is no family relationship by or between any director or executive
officer of the Company.
 
BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
 
     The Board of Directors held four meetings during the Company's year ended
December 31, 1997. Each director attended all meetings of the Board of
Directors.
 
     The Board of Directors of the Company has standing Audit, Compensation and
Stock Option Committees. The Board of Directors has no Nominating Committee nor
any committee performing the functions of a Nominating Committee.
 
     The members of the Audit Committee are Mr. Jennings and Mr. Hoffman. The
Audit Committee held two meetings during fiscal 1997. The purpose of the Audit
Committee is to review with the management of the Company and, with the
Company's independent auditors, such matters as internal accounting controls and
procedures, the plan and results of the annual audit, and the recommendations of
the independent auditors with respect to their audit activities.
 
     The members of the Compensation Committee are Mr. Abraham and Mr. Hoffman.
The Compensation Committee held two meetings during fiscal 1997. The
Compensation Committee is primarily responsible for establishing compensation
for the executive officers of the Company. Its activities are described in more
detail under "Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation"
below.
 
     The Stock Option Committee is primarily responsible for establishing the
number of options granted to employees of the Company under the 1990 Restated
Stock Option Plan. The Stock Option Committee held 7 meetings during fiscal
1997. The members of the Stock Option Committee are Mr. Abraham and Mr. Hoffman.
 
     Each member of each particular Committee attended all of the meetings of
each such Committee.
 
                      REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
 
     The Company's executive compensation program is administered by the
Compensation and Stock Option Committees of the Board of Directors.
 
     The Compensation Committee and the Stock Option Committee are each
comprised entirely of non-employee, independent members of the Board of
Directors. The Compensation Committee establishes the general compensation
policies of the Company and the compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer
and other executive officers. The Stock Option Committee administers the 1990
Restated Incentive Stock Option Plan including review and approval of stock
option grants to all employees, including the Chief Executive Officer and other
executive officers.
 
GENERAL COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
 
     The Company's compensation philosophy is that cash compensation should be
related to the performance of the Company and any long term incentive should be
closely aligned with the interests of shareholders. This
                                        4
<PAGE>   7
 
philosophy is designed to attract, retain and motivate the high caliber of
executives required for the success of the business.
 
     In determining executive compensation, the Compensation Committee compares
the compensation paid at companies in the computer hardware and software
industries, and places particular emphasis upon financial performance
comparisons including sales growth, net income growth, net income per share
growth, increase in cash flow and growth in shareholder value. The Committee
then structures cash compensation for the executive officers named in the
Summary Compensation Table to consist of (i) a base salary determined upon a
review of the Company's performance in the prior year, and (ii) bonus
compensation that is directly related to the Company's sales, quality and net
income performance in the current year.
 
     In particular, the bonus compensation paid to executives is established by
the Compensation Committee each year following a review of Rainbow's performance
for the prior year. The bonus compensation is based directly on Rainbow's
current year operating performance goals, and is generally established to equal
30% to 60% of the executive's total cash compensation for the year.
 
     Long term incentive compensation is realized through the granting of stock
options to key employees including the Chief Executive Officer and other
executive officers. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to a stock
option grant is based upon the employee's current and anticipated future
performance and ability to achieve strategic goals and objectives. Grants are
made annually and generally become exercisable during a four year vesting
period, thus providing an incentive to remain in the Company's employ. Stock
options have value for the employee only if the price of the Company's stock
increases above the fair market value on the grant date and the employee remains
in the Company's employ for the period required for the stock option to be
exercisable.
 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
 
     Compensation for the Chief Executive Officer was set according to the
established compensation philosophy described above.
 
     The Compensation Committee reviewed competitive base compensation
information reflecting the most recent compensation data and the Company's
performance in 1996 and goals for 1997. The bonus portion of the Chief Executive
Officer's compensation represents approximately 55% of the Chief Executive
Officer's total cash compensation. This reflects the Company's commitment to its
stated compensation philosophy. The Chief Executive Officer received a grant of
stock options based upon an evaluation of the Company's performance in 1996.
 
CONCLUSION
 
     The committee believes that these policies and programs are competitive and
effectively align executive compensation with the Company's goal of maximizing
the return to shareholders.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:
               Richard P. Abraham
               Marvin Hoffman
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   8
 
                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The following tables set forth the annual compensation for the Chief
Executive Officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers
of Rainbow Technologies, Inc.
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        LONG-TERM
                                                                       COMPENSATION
                                                ANNUAL COMPENSATION       AWARDS            ALL OTHER
                                               ---------------------   ------------    -------------------
                NAME                   YEAR    SALARY($)   BONUS($)      OPTIONS#      COMPENSATION(1)($)
                ----                   -----   ---------   ---------   ------------    -------------------
<S>                                    <C>     <C>         <C>         <C>             <C>
Walter W. Straub.....................  1997     182,000     218,400       22,000              4,750
                                       1996     172,600     218,400       22,000              4,500
                                       1995     163,604     208,000       20,000              1,000
Peter M. Craig.......................  1997     164,128     144,300       15,000              4,750
                                       1996     164,128     144,300       15,000              4,500
                                       1995     152,420     115,500       12,000              1,000
Norman L. Denton III.................  1997     216,146     160,200       15,000              4,750
                                       1996     213,588      96,200       15,000              4,500
                                       1995     226,974      91,000       19,000              1,000
Aviram Margalith.....................  1997     190,590      62,000       55,000              4,750
                                       1996          --          --           --                 --
                                       1995          --          --           --                 --
Patrick Fevery.......................  1997     125,000      80,000       15,000              4,750
                                       1996      92,040     107,800       15,000              4,500
                                       1995      85,020      74,000       12,000              1,000
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
1. Company contribution under the Company's 401(k) Plan.
 
                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
                                     --------------------------------------------------   POTENTIAL REALIZABLE AT
                                                    % OF TOTAL                            ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
                                                     OPTIONS                              STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
                                                    GRANTED TO    EXERCISE                    FOR OPTION TERM
                                       OPTIONS      EMPLOYEES      PRICE     EXPIRATION   ------------------------
               NAME                  GRANTED(1)      IN 1997       ($/SH)       DATE          5%           10%
               ----                  -----------   ------------   --------   ----------   ----------    ----------
<S>                                  <C>           <C>            <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>
Walter W. Straub...................    22,000          3.93%       18.000     09/08/07     $249,042      $631,122
Peter M. Craig.....................    15,000          2.68%       18.000     09/08/07      169,801       430,310
Norman L. Denton III...............    15,000          2.68%       18.000     09/08/07      169,801       430,310
Aviram Margalith...................    30,000          5.36%       14.125     04/25/07      266,494       675,348
                                       25,000          4.47%       18.000     09/08/07      283,003       717,184
Patrick Fevery.....................    15,000          2.68%       18.000     09/08/07      169,801       430,310
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) No Option may be exercised prior to one year from date of grant, at which
    time 28% of the grant is vested with 2% per month vesting thereafter.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   9
 
              AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
                         FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN-THE-
                                                                                        MONEY OPTIONS AT YEAR END 1997
                                                     NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED OPTIONS       (MARKET PRICE AT 12/31/97 AT
                         SHARES                            AT YEAR END 1997                       $29.000/SH)
                       ACQUIRED ON      VALUE      ---------------------------------   ---------------------------------
        NAME           EXERCISE(#)   REALIZED($)   EXERCISABLE(#)   UNEXERCISABLE(#)   EXERCISABLE($)   UNEXERCISABLE($)
        ----           -----------   -----------   --------------   ----------------   --------------   ----------------
<S>                    <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>                <C>              <C>
Walter W. Straub.....       0             0           131,470            55,530          2,053,442          718,358
Peter M. Craig.......       0             0            77,064            36,661          1,145,366          473,665
Norman L. Denton
  III................       0             0            75,445            36,680          1,178,958          452,248
Aviram Margalith.....       0             0                 0            55,000                  0          721,250
Patrick Fevery.......       0             0            34,617            33,045            459,316          412,994
</TABLE>
 
                            DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
 
     For the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company had an Outside Directors'
Plan to compensate those directors of the Company who were not also employees of
the Company, for serving as directors. The Outside Directors' Plan provides for
outside directors to receive the sum of $2,500 per Board meeting. For the year
ended December 31, 1997, Richard P. Abraham, Marvin Hoffman, Frederick Haney and
Alan Jennings, outside directors of the Company, each received $10,000.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
                      STOCKHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE GRAPH
 
     The following graph shows a comparison of five-year cumulative return among
Rainbow Technologies, the NASDAQ Index, and the NASDAQ Computer and Data
Processing Index.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 NASDAQ
                                                                               Computer &
        Measurement Period                                                   Dataprocessing
      (Fiscal Year Covered)              Rainbow          NASDAQ Index            Index
<S>                                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Dec-92                                     100                 100                 100
Dec-93                                     106                 115                 106
Dec-94                                      78                 112                 129
Dec-95                                     120                 159                 196
Dec-96                                     103                 195                 242
Dec-97                                     161                 240                 297
</TABLE>
 
     The graph assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 1992.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
                           EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND
                          CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENTS
 
     In January 1998, the Company entered into employment agreements and change
of control agreements with Walter W. Straub, President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company, Peter M. Craig, Vice Chairman and Executive Vice
President, Norman L. Denton III, Senior Vice President, Paul A. Bock, Senior
Vice President, Patrick Fevery, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Aviram
Margalith, Senior Vice President and President of Mykotronx, Laurie Casey, Vice
President Strategic Marketing, and Richard Burris, Vice President Manufacturing.
The terms of the employment agreements provide for a term of one year, and base
salary and bonus compensation to be determined by the Board of Directors. In the
event of a change of control, the agreements provide for severance payments
equal to one and one-half times salary and bonus paid in the prior year for Mr.
Craig, Mr. Denton, Mr. Bock, Mr. Fevery, Mr. Margalith, Ms. Casey and Mr.
Burris, and three times the salary and bonus paid in the prior year for Mr.
Straub.
 
                         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
                        BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
     The following table sets forth certain information as of April 23, 1998
with respect to share ownership of the Company's Common Stock by (i) each person
who owns beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of
the Company, (ii) each director of the Company and (iii) executive officers
listed in the Summary Compensation Table, (iv) all officers and directors of the
Company as a group without naming them.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            AMOUNT AND NATURE
                   NAME AND ADDRESS OF                        OF BENEFICIAL     PERCENTAGE
                  BENEFICIAL OWNERS (1)                       OWNERSHIP(2)       OF CLASS
                  ---------------------                     -----------------   ----------
<S>                                                         <C>                 <C>
Alan K. Jennings..........................................        706,664          9.11%
Walter W. Straub..........................................        507,798          6.55%
Peter M. Craig............................................        155,088          2.00%
Richard P. Abraham........................................         58,500          0.75%
Marvin Hoffman............................................         46,500          0.60%
Frederick Haney...........................................          8,250          0.11%
Norman L. Denton III......................................         88,327          1.14%
Patrick Fevery............................................         61,627          0.79%
Aviram Margalith..........................................          8,999          0.12%
All officers and directors as a group (13 persons)........      1,632,754         21.05%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) c/o Rainbow Technologies, Inc., 50 Technology Drive, Irvine, CA 92618.
 
(2) For purposes of this table, "beneficial ownership" of any security as of a
    given date includes the right to acquire such security within 60 days of
    April 23, 1998. The total amount of these shares with respect to which all
    of the above have rights to acquire beneficial ownership in 60 days are as
    follows: Alan K. Jennings 1,200, Walter W. Straub 4,096, Peter M. Craig
    2,617, Richard P. Abraham 1,200, Marvin Hoffman 1,200, Frederick M. Haney
    600, Norman L. Denton 2,281, Patrick Fevery 1,936, Aviram Margalith 8,999,
    other officers as a group 5,660. To the knowledge of the Company, each
    person named in the table has the sole voting and investment power with
    respect to all shares of Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by such
    person or entity.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
     At various times during 1997, the following individuals (none of whom was
or had been an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries)
served on the Company's Compensation Committee: Richard P. Abraham, Marvin
Hoffman. There were no interlocks with other companies within the meaning of the
SEC's Proxy rules during 1997.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
     During 1997, the Company paid $235,000 to XXCAL, Inc. a corporation engaged
in providing high technology temporary computer and computer-related personnel.
Marvin Hoffman is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of
XXCAL, Inc.
 
     In 1997, the Company's majority owned subsidiary, Quantum Manufacturing
Technologies, Inc. ("QMT"), granted Richard P. Abraham, a member of the
Company's Board of Directors, options to purchase 109,394 shares of common stock
at an exercise price of $.10 per share which vest over a four year period
provided Abraham remains a member of the board of directors of QMT during such
period.
 
401(K) PROFIT SHARING PLAN AND TRUST.
 
     In January 1990, the Board of Directors adopted and approved a 401(k)
Profit Sharing Plan and Trust effective January 1, 1990. Under the 401(k)
program, the Company is obligated to match each employee's contribution 50% per
dollar of salary contribution with a company matching maximum contribution of 6%
of salary deferral. The Company has the option to contribute an additional
discretionary amount based upon current or accumulated net profits. No such
discretionary contributions were made in 1997. Company contributions vest at the
date of the employee's commencement of service.
 
                                   PROPOSAL 2
 
               RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     It is proposed that the shareholders approve the selection of Ernst & Young
LLP as independent auditors for the Company for the 1998 fiscal year. Ernst &
Young LLP have been the independent auditors for the Company since 1987, and
their reappointment has been recommended by the Board of Directors.
 
     Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be available at the
Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate questions and will be given the
opportunity to make a statement if they so desire. This proposal requires the
approval of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. In the event such approval is not
obtained, selection of independent auditors will be reconsidered by the Board of
Directors.
 
                       RIGHTS OF DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS
 
     There are no rights of appraisal or similar rights of dissenters with
respect to any matter proposed to be acted upon at the 1998 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.
 
                                 OTHER MATTERS
 
     The Company knows of no matters, other than those described herein, which
are to be brought before the Annual Meeting. However, if any other proper
matters are brought before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed
proxy will vote in accordance with their judgment on such matters.
 
                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     Financial Statements of the Company are contained in the 1997 Annual Report
to Shareholders.
 
     THE COMPANY FILES AN ANNUAL REPORT WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION ON FORM 10-K. SHAREHOLDERS MAY OBTAIN A COPY OF THIS REPORT WITHOUT
COST BY WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
                        NOTICE TO BANKS, BROKERS/DEALERS
                     AND VOTING TRUSTEES AND THEIR NOMINEES
 
     Please advise the Company, at 50 Technology Drive, Irvine, California
92618, Attention: Secretary, whether other persons are the beneficial owners of
the shares for which proxies are being solicited and, if so, the number of
copies of the proxy statement, other soliciting material and Annual Report you
wish to receive in order to supply copies to the beneficial owners of shares of
Common Stock of the Company.
 
                                          BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
 
                                          /s/ WALTER W. STRAUB
 
                                          Walter W. Straub
                                          Chairman
 
Irvine, California
April 23, 1998
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
                           RAINBOW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                 Annual Meeting of Shareholders -- June 4, 1998
          THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned shareholder of Rainbow Technologies, Inc. (the "Company")
hereby appoints Walter W. Straub, the President of the Company, or failing him,
Peter M. Craig, Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President of the Company, or
instead of either of the foregoing ___________________, as the nominee of the
undersigned to attend and to act for and on behalf of the undersigned at the
annual meeting of shareholders of the Company to be held on June 4, 1998 at
2:00 P.M. Pacific Time, and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, to the
same extent and with the same power as if the undersigned were personally
present at said meeting or such adjournment or adjournments thereof and,
without limiting the generality of the power hereby conferred, the nominees
named above are specifically directed to vote as indicated below.

1.  ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.

    [ ]  FOR all nominees listed                      [ ]  WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
         below (except as marked                           to vote for each
         to the contrary below)                            nominee listed below

         Walter W. Straub           Alan K. Jennings          Marvin Hoffman
         Peter M. Craig             Richard P. Abraham        Frederick M. Haney

(INSTRUCTION:) To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, strike
               a line through or otherwise strike the nominee's name in the
               list above.

2.  PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG, LLP AS INDEPENDENT
    AUDITORS OF THE COMPANY.

    [ ]  FOR                      [ ] AGAINST                   [ ] ABSTAIN

<PAGE>   15
If there are amendments or variations to the matters proposed at the meeting or
at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, or if any other business properly
comes before the meeting, this proxy confers discretionary authority on the
proxy nominees named herein to vote on such amendments, variations or other
business.


Name: ____________________________    No. of Shares: ________________________
Dated: _____________________, 1998    _______________________________________
                                                    Signature

                                      _______________________________________
                                            Signature if held jointly

Please sign exactly as name appears herein. When shares are held by joint
tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, as executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a
corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other
authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by
authorized person.

NOTE: If no specification is made, this Proxy will be voted FOR on Proposals
      1 and 2.


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