Princeton Junction, NJ, July 19, 2006–State governments should strongly consider using smart card technology to comply with the requirements of the federal REAL ID Act, the Smart Card Alliance Identity Council states in a new position paper. The reason: smart cards are highly secure, privacy-sensitive and reliable, advantages that have been proven in numerous existing ID programs worldwide.

Princeton Junction, NJ, July 17, 2006–The Smart Card Alliance is accepting nominations for its annual “Outstanding Smart Card Achievement” (OSCA) awards, recognizing individuals and organizations that have significantly impacted and influenced the North American smart card market. The awards will be presented at the 2006 Fall Annual Conference on October 3rd - 6th in San Diego.

Princeton Junction, NJ, May 8, 2006–The Smart Card Alliance has launched an online Smart Card Career Center to help companies recruit qualified professionals and to help individuals find jobs in the growing smart card industry.

With smart card adoption growing rapidly in many diverse markets, the Career Center provides comprehensive and easy-to-use tools for employers to find the best talent and for individuals to find new career opportunities. Features include:

Conference sets new Attendance Record

Smart Cards In Government Conference, Arlington, VA, April 19, 2006–Plans to use long read range RFID technology in a new border crossing card, the latest on the U.S. electronic passport and the re-emergence of a registered traveler program were among the news highlights at the Smart Card Alliance’s 5th Annual Smart Cards in Government Conference and Exhibition yesterday. Interest in government identity programs and technologies pushed attendance to a record level, attracting more than 600 government and technology leaders.

Convergence panelists from DoD, Sun, SCM, Integrated Engineering

Las Vegas, NV, March 28, 2006–U.S. government agencies and federal contractors working toward compliance with FIPS 201, the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) standard for a converged, government-wide physical and logical access credential, are finding that implementation can include many technical, project and process challenges.

Smart Card Alliance details benefits at SecurityWeek Brazil, Cards Brazil

Sao Paulo, Brazil, March 22, 2006–The news reports have become an ever-increasing drumbeat: a hacker somehow breaches the computer network of yet another bank, credit firm or retailer, gaining access to vital data from thousands of customer accounts. Time and again, the result is consumer mistrust as identities are stolen and organizations scramble to limit the damage.

Princeton Junction, NJ, March 13, 2006–The Smart Card Alliance Transportation Council today announced its first year results, upcoming project plans and new officers, including its new Chair Paul Korczak from MTA New York City Transit. A focused group within the overall structure of the Alliance, the Transportation Council works to help accelerate the deployment of standards-based smart card payment programs within the transportation industry.

Princeton Junction, NJ, March 6, 2006–With the deployment of smart card technology moving from the specifications phase to the implementation phase across the federal government, government and industry leaders will share best practices and experiences at the Smart Card Alliance’s 5th Annual Smart Cards in Government Conference and Exhibition, April 18-20, 2006 at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, VA.

Council releases paper on top 10 identity issues and how to address them

Princeton Junction, NJ, February 13, 2006–Identity touches on many everyday activities, including air travel, banking, driving, obtaining medical services and accessing buildings and computer systems. As such, it is vital for identity information to be trusted and kept secure in order to prevent crimes involving false or stolen identities that can cause sizeable security risks and financial losses.

Princeton Junction, NJ, February 8, 2006–In an era of managed care, specialized medicine, mile-high paperwork, high costs, identity fraud and government demand for secure, portable and confidential patient information, the competitiveness of healthcare providers depends on the proper use of information technology. As a result, the healthcare industry is on the cusp of a move away from error-prone paper and ink toward a more secure electronic world.