PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ, October 19, 2006–Using the long read range radio frequency identification (RFID) technology the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and State Department are proposing for passport cards will do little to increase the security of the nation’s borders, and opens up possibilities that U.S. citizens could be tracked, the Smart Card Alliance said today. The Alliance contends that a more privacy sensitive and secure passport card solution using the same contactless smart card technology found in the new electronic passports (ePassports) can improve border security without causing delays at crossings.

New executive committee and board reflect organization’s diversity

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ, October 13, 2006–The Smart Card Alliance today announced its seven-member 2006-2007 executive committee. The new Alliance board of directors held elections for the executive committee at the organization’s annual conference last week in San Diego. The executive committee will serve in a leadership role for the board and direct the activities of the executive director and the Alliance staff for the year ahead.

Princeton Junction, NJ, October 9, 2006–Wouldn’t it be convenient if you could pay for your subway or bus fare with your contactless credit or debit card, the same way you pay for fast food or groceries? A new white paper from the Smart Card Alliance Transportation Council, Transit and Contactless Financial Payments: New Opportunities for Collaboration and Convergence examines trends in both the financial payments and transit industries and discusses how the two industries could work together to make this a reality. The white paper is available at no charge from the Smart Card Alliance web site at http://www.smartcardalliance.org.

SMART CARD ALLIANCE ANNUAL CONFERENCE, SAN DIEGO, October 6, 2006–The role of smart cards in proving and protecting identities in a digital economy and for e-government was the focus Wednesday and Thursday at the Smart Card Alliance annual conference in San Diego. Former CIA Director R. James Woolsey delivered a keynote address about the current global situation on terrorism, and provided his perspective on its implications for security.

State Department, Gemalto, Neville Pattinson receive awards

Smart Card Alliance Annual Conference, San Diego, October 4, 2006–The Smart Card Alliance today announced the 2006 awards for “Outstanding Smart Card Achievement” (OSCA) in the North American smart card industry during its annual conference. Selected for awards were the U.S. Department of State for Outstanding Issuer Organization, Gemalto for Outstanding Supplier Organization and Neville Pattinson, director, technology and government affairs, Gemalto North America for the Outstanding Individual Leadership Award.

Smart Card Alliance Annual Conference, San Diego, October 4, 2006–Trends in contactless, mobile and transit payments were the focus as the Smart Card Alliance kicked off its annual conference in San Diego.

Smart Card Alliance Annual Conference, San Diego, CA, October 3, 2006–Like a great new undiscovered restaurant, contactless payment is a big hit with consumers who have tried it but still not well known, according to new research produced independently by Javelin Strategy & Research for the Smart Card Alliance. Javelin Founder and President James Van Dyke presented the survey results today to industry leaders gathered in San Diego for the annual Smart Card Alliance conference.

Princeton Junction, NJ, September 25, 2006–Next month, government agencies face the deadline to begin issuing a single smart card credential to all government employees and contractors for both physical and logical access. In order to aid organizations with the physical access control system (PACS) aspect of the implementation, the Smart Card Alliance Physical Access Council released a new white paper today, Considerations for the Migration of Existing Physical Access Control Systems to Achieve FIPS 201 Compatibility. Additional Smart Card Alliance educational resources that support FIPS 201 implementation will soon be announced.

Princeton Junction, NJ, August 24, 2006–The Smart Card Alliance, the authoritative voice for the rapidly growing smart card industry, will hold its 14th annual conference at the Hyatt Regency–La Jolla Hotel in San Diego, California, from October 3-6, 2006. Each year, this premier event showcases leaders and innovators in the use of smart cards across all industries and market segments in North America and around the world.

Princeton Junction, NJ, August 8, 2006–The new electronic passports planned for the United States rely on multiple layers of security to increase border security and protect citizen privacy, and electronic cloning does not constitute a threat, says the Smart Card Alliance, a group of industry and government organizations specializing in the secure contactless smart card technology used in the program.