1 EXHIBIT 23 ---------- DATUM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ---------------------------------- We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 2-96564, 33-10335, 33-41709, 33-79772 and 333-46365) of Datum Inc. of our report dated February 12, 1998 appearing on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. /s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP - ------------------------------- PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP Costa Mesa, California March 23, 1998