Association of Corporate Travel Executives Global Conference, Vancouver, BC, May 5, 2005–Smart Card Alliance Executive Director Randy Vanderhoof, speaking to a gathering of corporate travel executives, voiced the smart card industry’s support of the U.S. State Department’s recent statements to begin strongly considering additional security measures including Basic Access Control (BAC) and shielding to protect personal data in passports equipped with contactless smart card technology. This approach will address concerns raised about the potential for skimming of personal data and remote eavesdropping on passport communications during usage.

Princeton Junction, NJ, April 13, 2005–A convergence of market forces and technical advances is driving increased interest in using more capable mobile phones for payment at the physical point-of-sale. This confluence provides opportunities for the United States mobile and financial industries.

Princeton Junction, NJ, March 21, 2005–The Smart Card Alliance today announced the formation of the Transportation Council to promote the adoption of contactless interoperable smart card payment systems for transit and other transportation services. The newly formed Transportation Council, in association with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), will initiate projects to support applications of smart card use. The overall goal of the Alliance’s Transportation Council is to help accelerate the deployment of standards-based smart card payment programs within the transportation industry.

Smart Cards in eGovernment Conference, Washington, D.C., March 9, 2005–The Smart Card Alliance believes that protection of individual privacy is a critical goal for any identity management system. As part of its ongoing active approach to helping organizations and individuals understand how to balance both privacy and security in this complex arena, the Alliance announced the availability of a new briefing document, Identity Management Systems, Smart Cards and Privacy. The announcement came today as government and smart card industry leaders gathered for an event focusing on new federal government identity and credentialing initiatives at the Smart Card Alliance 4th Annual Smart Cards in eGovernment Conference and Exhibition, being held from March 9th through 11th, 2005 at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Princeton Junction, NJ, March 2, 2005–Smart card government and industry leaders are forming a new Physical Access Council, created by the Smart Card Alliance as organizations worldwide implement new access control systems to improve security and more accurately verify the identity of individuals seeking access to physical facilities.

Princeton Junction, NJ, February 15, 2005–Radio frequency is no longer just about large battery-powered radio-based gadgets like garage door openers and highway payment systems. Now ePassports and credit cards are going to come with RF capabilities. But is that a good idea? Is it safe?

The answer to both questions is “yes,” and to help people understand why the Smart Card Alliance published “RFID Tags and Contactless Smart Card Technology: Comparing and Contrasting Applications and Technologies.”

Princeton Junction, NJ, February 10, 2005–Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and chip-enabled U.S. passports headline the agenda at the Smart Card Alliance 4th Annual Smart Cards in eGovernment Conference and Exhibition on March 9th through 11th, 2005 at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C. The conference brings government and industry leaders together in an interactive, educational forum to discuss and debate the important business and technical issues involving government adoption of smart cards.

Adoption Grows with U.S., Canada Shipments to Top 100 Million in 2004, Industry Estimates

PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/–Former national security advisor Richard Clarke sees Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 driving smart card use across the federal government and speeding adoption by enterprises, according to remarks made in a keynote address at the Smart Card Alliance Fall Annual Conference held in San Francisco last week.

Adoption grows with U.S., Canada shipments to top 100 million in 2004, industry estimates

Princeton Junction, NJ, October 25, 2004–Former national security advisor Richard Clarke sees Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 driving smart card use across the federal government and speeding adoption by enterprises, according to remarks made in a keynote address at the Smart Card Alliance Fall Annual Conference held in San Francisco last week.

Dan Cunningham, DoD Defense Manpower Data Center and Axalto Honored

Smart Card Alliance Annual Conference, San Francisco, October 20, 2004–The Smart Card Alliance last night presented its OSCA awards for outstanding individual and organization achievement in the smart card industry for North America during its annual conference. The OSCA award judges honored Dan Cunningham as Outstanding Individual; the Department of Defense’s Defense Manpower Data Center as Outstanding End User Organization; and Axalto as Outstanding Supplier Organization.