SANTA ANA, Calif. and ISMANING, Germany, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SCM Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq:
SCMM;
Prime Standard, SMY), a leading provider of solutions for secure
access, secure identity and secure exchange, is expanding its smart
card reader product family with three new models that usher in a new
era of compact, portable, personal devices. The new handheld, USB or
Near Field Communication (NFC) connected readers are designed to be
carried - on key rings, in pockets or purses - and used every day with
contact or contactless smart cards, regardless of technology or
manufacturer. In many instances, users insert the card and leave it in
the reader - leaving them with a single small device for all smart
card-related needs.
Smart cards are being used worldwide to secure identities
in many applications, such as bank payment cards, employee access
badges, government identity cards and healthcare IDs. SCM's new readers
enable cardholders to use their smart cards anytime, anywhere with PCs,
the Internet or other terminals. Many models allow physical access to
buildings, too. Cardholders can use the reader to pay more securely or
to authenticate their network identities with banks, employers,
government agencies, or healthcare providers. They can even download
discounts or promotion links from NFC smart posters, take them home and
load them into a PC.
"Our new readers address two important market drivers
that are at the core of our strategy, the growth of contactless
technology and the convergence of physical access and IT security
systems," said Felix Marx, chief executive officer of SCM Microsystems.
"Organizations making large scale deployments need to provide their end
users with ways to use smart cards for secure physical entry, as well
as with PCs and over the Internet at home, at work or at school. We
engineered these personal smart card readers to fill that gap. They are
compact and ultra-portable, so people can carry them to use with their
smart cards wherever they go."
The new smart card readers are the SCR3500 SmartFold, the SCT3511 and the @MAXX lite. SCM will make them available in August through both OEM and distribution channels.
SCR3500 SmartFold: portable contact smart card reader
The SCR3500 SmartFold is a uniquely designed small, portable
contact smart card reader that fits easily on a key ring and in every
pocket. Since it is easy to carry around, users do not have to wait to
come home to make secure online transactions. Online services can be
accessed and payments can be made from anywhere, with full protection
from password stealing spyware. The reader is unfolded and inserted
into a free USB port of a notebook. Then, the smart card in ID-1
(credit card) format is inserted into the reader to enable secure
access to bank accounts, online payments, Web services or company
information systems.
SCT3511: contact and contactless USB token
The SCT3511 is a USB token with both contact and ISO 14443
and MIFARE(TM) contactless capabilities. It acts as a contact reader
for ID-000 (SIM card format) smart cards, and has an antenna for use
with a dual interface contact/contactless smart card that supports an
antenna connection. This device is ideal for contactless payment and
ticketing applications. Additionally, it is used for converged physical
and logical access control in the enterprise. At work, with the smart
card inserted, it is used for secure logon to networks or PCs using a
PKI digital identity certificates. It can also be used for more secure
physical access to the building instead of the usual employee badge.
@MAXX lite: contact/contactless USB token with integrated Flash memory
@MAXX lite is the newest addition to SCM's innovative @MAXX family of products. Like the SCT3511, @MAXX lite is
a token with both contact and contactless smart card-based
functionalities. It adds on-board Flash memory for secure storage of
sensitive data. With a smart card in PC-connected mode, @MAXX lite encrypts
data on a hard disk and the onboard Flash memory, and protects access
by requiring a PIN entry. Other uses include contactless payment,
ticketing applications, secure logon to PCs and networks with a digital
identity certificate, storing encrypted and PIN protected logins and
passwords in the smart card or Flash, or filling Web forms using
securely stored personal information.
About SCM Microsystems, Inc.
SCM Microsystems (NASDAQ:
SCMM;
Prime Standard: SMY) is a global leader in security and identity
solutions for secure access, secure identity and secure exchange.
Together with its Hirsch Electronics subsidiary, SCM provides complete,
integrated solutions that secure digital assets, electronic
transactions and facilities. The company offers the world's broadest
range of contact, contactless and mobile smart card reader technology;
physical and logical access control systems; digital identity
transaction platforms; biometrics; and digital video. SCM's solutions
enable a wide variety of applications including enterprise security,
identity management, contactless payment, e-health and electronic
government services. For more information please go to www.scmmicro.com
and
www.HirschElectronics.com.
Note: MIFARE is a trademark of NXP Semiconductors. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
