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November 2007 • Volume 12 Number 11
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Member Profile: HID Global, Latin America
1. What are your organization's main smart card initiatives? The first initiative is multi-applications on a single card, enabled through our HID Connect™ program. HID Connect is the hardware and software partnership arm of HID Global Corporation. Focused on positioning HID as a platform provider to help expand and support the new “ecosystem” that requires a single credential for many day-to-day applications, HID Connect promotes products, applications and solutions that use HID 13.56 MHz iCLASS® or MIFARE® and 125 kHz proximity technologies. HID Connect’s ultimate goal is to help end-users “do more than open the door” with their HID cards. Applications currently being developed through HID Connect include, but are not limited to, time and attendance, PC secure log-on, point-of-sale/cashless vending, biometrics, parking, arming/disarming of security alarm panels, electronic standalone, battery powered door locks, first responder/handheld products and intercom and other communication systems. Another key smart card initiative involves promoting the convergence of logical and physical access, enabled through our Crescendo Series of smart cards. HID Global’s CrescendoTM card solutions incorporate multiple smart card technologies on a single card to meet customer requirements for both logical and physical access control. Available off-the-shelf, award-winning Crescendo cards are pre-initialized with on-card software providing out-of the-box support for thousands of Windows®-compatible logical access solutions from Microsoft® and other developers. Crescendo combines technologies, services and know-how to deliver a uniquely innovative solution from the industry’s trusted leader in access control. 2. What role does smart card technology play in supporting your business in Latin America? Due the idiosyncrasy of the Latin America market, solutions -- and not necessarily products -- are becoming the rule in the market. The smart card is itself a solution contained in a product, so, not having a smart card offering in our portfolio would jeopardize our business that is related to security. The smart card is also a concept that is aligned with the lack of communications infrastructure that we find in many of the countries in the region. Having a secure container/processor that is able to carry/process more than one application and not need an online system is a big plus in addressing the market needs. 3. What trends do you see developing in the market that you hope to capitalize on? A secure identity is becoming an important aspect in the Latin America market. Before an individual is able to access a computer or network station, he or she must pass through a door. Having the technology and solutions for issuing, programming and processing a secure identity is a key factor in the complete security system, not only involving the physical aspects. Our company is actively developing products that become the solutions to solve today's corporations' demands for protecting assets, primarily those that are stored and processed on computer systems. Convergence between the physical and logical worlds is the trend in which we play a very important role. 4. What obstacles to growth do you see that must be overcome to capitalize on these opportunities? Among others, we have identified one main barrier that is at the same time a big challenge: education. Although the concept of the smart card is very well known in the region, decision-makers do not necessarily have enough information about the technology or know where to get solutions. It is a reality in the market that there exist persons or organizations who lack knowledge and do not have ethical and professional behavior, and who compensate with low-cost offers; this has a negative, deteriorating effect on the market. It is highly important for the industry to work hard on education initiatives that really inform and provide valued information to the decisions makers. 5. What do you see are the key factors driving smart card technology in the market? The benefits of high frequency contactless smart cards are two-fold. First, they have a higher level of security, due to their encryption capability. The second advantage is the multi-application capability of the card. We’re offering the ability to do multiple things with the same card, enabling the convergence concept. The use of contactless smart cards, rather than standard proximity cards, has been a substantial change. Even though a small portion has been realized to date, the potential is there for multiple application use of cards, and of course, the heightened security those cards provide. Those two elements have contributed to the shift toward high frequency contactless smart cards. In the U.S., migration from low frequency proximity technology to high frequency contactless smart cards has been very robust over the last few years. People are starting to understand and see the advantages of multi-application technologies. There has been a substantial amount of conversion taking place. Europe, Asia and Latin America have a more developed acceptance of contactless smart card technology. The migration/transition has been easier in worldwide markets, because they have both experience and practice in a multi-application environment using contactless technology. In Europe, we have a greater number of partners developing applications for our high frequency credentials, making migration more compelling. A significant change will be a true convergence of physical and logical access and a true picture of the notion of a ‘secure identity’—how it begins, how it is vetted, how it is managed, what its lifecycle is, how it fits with other applications, how it fits into the IT world. These are the points of influence that are going to change in the access control industry. When you get to the point of talking about edge readers, you really change the paradigm of how access control is practiced. 6. How do you see your involvement in SCALA helping you become successful? Education is the name of my game and big part of our philosophy. To have a better market, you have to have well-informed customers. So, if SCALA becomes the trusted center of information for any organization interested in smart card technology and we are part of SCALA, the market perception of our offerings should to be that we are also a trusted vendor, because we are helping to promote neutral and valid information. 7. As a founding member of SCALA, what do you see the key goals of the Latin America chapter are in the next year? First of all, to consolidate the advisory board, having a structure committed and aligned to the principles of the alliance. To increase the number of members, and finally to encourage the membership to integrate the different councils by specialty.
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This month, Smart Card Talk spoke with Humberto De la Vega, Vice President of Sales, Latin America and the Caribbean, for HID Global. 
