Adding chip technology would pave the way for secure, efficient online e-government services for states

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ, January 14, 2008–In its final ruling on minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security left the door open for states to decide for themselves if they want to set higher standards for secure REAL ID driver’s licenses and e-government services.

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ, October 26, 2007–The Smart Card Alliance today announced its 2007-2008 board and seven-member executive committee.

“The Smart Card Alliance no longer simply recaps and reports what is happening in the smart card industry; we are influencing the direction and growth of the industry in government, enterprise, transit, banking and healthcare,” said Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of the Smart Card Alliance. “The members of the executive committee and board represent key industry leaders across these diverse markets and help shape the direction for the Alliance to play an influential role in North America, Latin America and also internationally.”

More Highlights From Smart Card Alliance Annual Conference

SMART CARD ALLIANCE ANNUAL CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 12, 2007–The vigorous take up of contactless payment in the United States and its future in mobile phones, plus a Mount Sinai Medical Center initiative to give patients control of their own health and hospital registration information, highlighted day two of the Alliance annual conference.

SMART CARD ALLIANCE ANNUAL CONFERENCE, BOSTON, OCTOBER 10, 2007–Government identity management programs took center stage as the Alliance kicked off day one of its conference, taking place at the Boston Marriott Long Wharf through Thursday. Critical security initiatives have now entered the issuing phase and over the next year will put millions of smart card-based IDs in the hands of all maritime workers at the nation’s seaports and all federal employees, program managers told conference attendees Tuesday. And the Registered Traveler program is now speeding frequent flyers through 12 airports nationwide, with more coming. These and other highlights from conference speakers follow.

Developed in collaboration with the Open Security Exchange, Security Industry Association and International Biometric Industry Association

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ, September 24, 2007–Security directors and those responsible for physical access control systems (PACS) within government agencies have a new resource to help them choose the right path to accept FIPS 201 compliant credentials–a new white paper, developed by the Smart Card Alliance Physical Access Council in collaboration with the Open Security Exchange (OSE), Security Industry Association (SIA) and International Biometric Industry Association (IBIA).

Princeton Junction, NJ, September 10, 2007–In a newly-released white paper, the Smart Card Alliance concludes that proximity mobile payment–because it leverages the well-established infrastructure of the financial payments industry, and because it is based on Near Field Communication (NFC) technology and the ISO/IEC 14443 standard–will become the mobile payment technology of choice for consumers using mobile phones for retail payment transactions in the United States.

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ, September 6, 2007–The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and several states including Arizona, Vermont and Washington, have recently announced programs to develop and issue enhanced state driver’s licenses that could be used as acceptable alternative documents for crossing the United States’ land and sea borders. The Smart Card Alliance has serious privacy and security concerns for U.S. citizens participating in these programs based on the direction DHS has been recommending for the enhanced driver’s license technology.

October 9-11 • Marriott Long Wharf • Boston, MA

Attendance is Free for Media and Analysts Register Today!

The Latest in Payment and Identity Management Technologies Highlighted at 15th Annual Smart Card Alliance Conference

Industry event features smart card advances in payments, mobile, government, identity, security, healthcare and transportation markets

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ, SEPTEMBER 5, 2007–Expanding interest in technologies that can enable fast, secure transactions of all types are driving smart card applications into many market sectors and opening up opportunities like secure payment with mobile devices, and new identity protection practices. These opportunities, and real-world information on the latest smart card implementations, will be covered in depth at the 15th annual Smart Card Alliance Conference, October 9-11 at the Marriott Long Wharf in Boston, Mass.

Merchant guide and presentation available free at Alliance Web site

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ, August 27, 2007–Consumers love the speed and convenience of contactless payments, and merchants are increasingly recognizing that contactless payments can help service more customers while increasing their satisfaction and loyalty. It is common, though, for merchants to have questions about how to begin accepting contactless payments.

Fed ruling that eliminates receipt requirement for transactions under $15 eliminates a significant barrier to micropayments

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ, JULY 23, 2007–The director of the Smart Card Alliance said the Federal Reserve Board’s recent decision to modify its Regulation E and eliminate the requirement to provide a receipt for debit purchases under $15 will benefit both consumers and merchants by making smaller transactions quicker and more cost effective.