Oberthur Technologies’ Smart Authentication 3-D Secure(tm) Solution Receives PCI DSS(1)Certification

November 15, 2011 04:25 AM Eastern Time 

NANTERRE, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oberthur Technologies, the world’s second largest provider of security and identification solutions and services based on smart card technologies, announces that its Smart Authentication 3-D Secure^TMsolution, operated by Managed Services in its Visa and MasterCard certified UK data centre, has been granted PCI DSS certification. PCI DSS is an information security standard of the Payment Card Industry for organisations that handle cardholder information for major debit, credit, prepaid, e-purse, ATM, and POS cards.

Oberthur Technologies has successfully passed more than 200 points of control aiming at guarantying the secure processing, transmission and storage of cardholder data for its Smart Authentication solution, including:

• network security (firewall configuration and security system parameters),
• cardholder’s data protection (storage and transmission encryption),
• vulnerability management (anti-virus, system and application security),
• strong access control (restriction of computer and physical access to cardholder data),
• regular monitoring and testing (access monitoring, system testing and process security).

With this certification, Oberthur Technologies confirms its unrivalled expertise in operating highly sensitive solutions from its data centres.

A result of many years of experience in card manufacturing and security solution development, the Smart Authentication solution secures online services against new types of fraud challenges. It provides financial institutions with the highest security level for the reduction of fraud in e-banking and e-shopping as well as enhancing end-user experience. It includes an Access Control Server (ACS) enabling 3-D Secure protocols, an Authentication Server to check cardholders’ identity, and a full range of mobile solutions and physical devices including display cards.

Hosted and operated as a managed service in Oberthur Technologies’ highly secured data centres, the Smart Authentication solution allows financial institutions to focus on their core business while optimising time-to-market and total investment cost. Oberthur Technologies provides all the IT resources, hardware and software infrastructure and above all, the security expertise needed for such sensitive solutions, with both dedicated and experienced teams.

“By combining our expertise in solution development and our ability to operate them from our data centres with the most stringent security measures, we demonstrate our capability to provide end-to-end support to our customers. Our Smart Authentication solution in managed services fully relieves them of the complexity linked to platform management and certification processes.” said Arnaud de La Chapelle, General Manager, Convergence & Solutions, at Oberthur Technologies Card Systems Division.

About Oberthur Technologies

Oberthur Technologies is a world leader in the field of secure technologies: systems development, solutions and services for smart cards (payment cards, SIM cards, access cards, NFC…) and for secure identity documents, traditional and electronic (identity card, passport, health care card), production of banknotes, cheques and other fiduciary documents, intelligent systems to secure cash-in-transit and ATM. Oberthur Technologies has 6,800 employees through 40 countries and 65 sites. The Group posted 2010 sales of €979M.

Website www.oberthur.com

¹ PCI DSS : Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard

Cinterion Launches New High-Speed Automotive M2M Module

November 15, 2011 01:00 AM Eastern Time 

CARTES & IDentification 2011

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cinterion, the global leader in cellular machine-to-machine (M2M) communication modules and a Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO) company, launches AH3, its new high-speed automotive M2M module with a new triple-diversity antenna design. AH3 delivers reliable always-on communications across global 2G and 3G cellular networks for advanced applications such as, onboard vehicle computing, internet access, fleet management as well as automatic eCall and emergency roadside assistance, integrated hands free calling and many more.

“There’s tremendous opportunity and demand in the automotive sector as a growing number of manufacturers are leveraging the power of broadband cellular M2M communication in cars, trucks and other machines to provide drivers and mobile businesses with greater and richer access to information and remote diagnostics”

The module’s SIM Access Profile enables easy integration of additional wireless devices, connection with smartphones and software applications, while analog audio processing and advanced voice support provide superior hands-free capabilities. AH3’s compact, single-sided design shares a common footprint with forthcoming LTE modules.

The ruggedized AH3 module features a totally new and improved triple-diversity antenna concept that is based on pogo pads enabling simple and reliable mounting at reduced total cost of ownership. The three antennas allow always-on communications with simultaneous voice, data and continuous GPS tracking for true multi-tasking. AH3’s extended temperature range and improved power management preserve battery power and guarantee longevity even in extreme vibration, moisture and temperature conditions typical of automotive applications.

“There’s tremendous opportunity and demand in the automotive sector as a growing number of manufacturers are leveraging the power of broadband cellular M2M communication in cars, trucks and other machines to provide drivers and mobile businesses with greater and richer access to information and remote diagnostics,” said Norbert Muhrer, CEO Cinterion.“Cinterion’s easy-to-integrate, richly-featured AH3 module meets all the demands of advanced automotive applications.”

Additional AH3 product information:

AH3 samples and evaluation kits are available with mass production beginning in Q2 2012. AH3 meets the most stringent automotive industry quality standards including e-mark and VDA 6.2 and it is IMDS listed and produced in a factory that is certified according to automotive TS16949 standards. AH3 comes in two versions: AH3-US which supports AWS band in Northern America, and AH3-W which adds 900 MHz to cover all other world regions and to ensure true global roaming. All Cinterion modules are backed by market leading customer support and come with full type approval (FTA) as well as pre-certification by the world’s largest mobile network operators supporting global functionality and a swift time-to-market.

About Cinterion, a Gemalto Company

A Machine-to-Machine (M2M) industry pioneer and market leader for more than 15 years, Cinterion gives customers the confidence to excel in a complex M2M ecosystem through the foundations of expertise, security, simplicity and partnership. Cinterion’s award-winning products and services allow machines, equipment, vehicles and other assets to securely communicate over wireless networks, helping enterprises simplify operations, increase efficiency and establish new business models. Offering unique competence in combining wireless M2M modules with Machine Identity Modules (MIM), MIM personalization capabilities and device management platforms in a trusted and secure environment, Cinterion is a valued partner for equipment manufacturers, integrators, MNOs, and end-users. Cinterion products power M2M technology for diverse vertical markets including: automotive, tracking and tracing, industrial mobile computing, metering and smart grid, payment systems, healthcare, security systems, routers and gateways, remote maintenance and control and more.

Cinterion is part of the Gemalto Group (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security with revenues of €1.9 billion in 2010, and over 10 thousand employees operating out of 87 offices and 13 Research & Development centers in 45 countries.

For more information, please visit www.cinterion.com, www.facebook.com/cinterion, or follow @cinterion on twitter.

Merchant Reputation Can Drive Mobile Payments Adoption, says Auriemma Consulting Group

November 14, 2011 05:29 PM Eastern Time 

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sooner or later the U.S. will see widespread adoption of mobile payments, says the experts, but they disagree about how soon and how widespread it will be. Big players in banking and in telephony are investing heavily in developing mobile payment infrastructure. The ultimate object of this feverish activity is consumer adoption, as financial institutions proceed on the assumption that “if we build it, they will come”. However, results of a recent survey by Cardbeat^®, a syndicated monthly publication of Auriemma Consulting Group (ACG), suggest that large retailers may have a significant influence on the mobile payments adoption curve.

“if we build it, they will come”

“Mobile banking, as opposed to mobile payments, is becoming mainstream, keeping pace with the penetration of smartphones,” noted Dr. Patricia Sahm, Managing Director at ACG. Smartphone ownership has jumped from 32% in Q3 2010 to 41% less than a year later, among the 9 out of 10 consumers who have a mobile phone. Just under a third of Cardbeat respondents say they have mobile banking capabilities, and 40% of them have downloaded a banking application within the last 12 months. “Despite the recency of their adoption, users show a fairly high frequency of usage, with half using the app at least once a week,” she said. Also, while informational users predominate with 79% who use their phone to check their balance, about 4 out of 10 consumers do online bill payment from their phones, paving the way for the transition to mobile payments, she notes.

Security is a concern for almost all users, even the under-35s who are the most positively predisposed toward the concept of mobile payments. Overall, half of consumers say they are very or somewhat uncomfortable with the idea of making purchases with a mobile phone, and their primary concern is security; they also say they have enough payment options and see no need for a new one. At the other end of the scale, one-third of respondents were very or somewhat positive about the concept, and these proponents say mobile payments would save time and money and would be convenient; this group also likes new technology.

Both groups, however, say that the most likely place they would expect to use mobile payments would be in-person at a large retailer. In contrast, only 20% would use it to pay a parking meter. “It’s an interesting finding, because generally with a new payment technology people want to test it out with small purchases first,” Sahm pointed out. “However, both the technophiles and technophobes say they’d feel more comfortable with a large retailer, where the average ticket size is fairly high, rather than the trivial amounts involved with feeding the meter. Large retailers give a sense of security that the consumer would have recourse in case of a problem, and their adoption of mobile payment technology will be a signal to consumers that it’s ok to try it.”

Cardbeat research data was gathered using a web-based survey administered to 502 credit card users in the U.S. during the month of June 2011. The number of interviews completed on a monthly basis is sufficient to allow for statistical significance testing between sub-groups at the 95% confidence level ±5%.

About Auriemma Consulting Group

Auriemma Consulting Group (ACG) is a full-service management consulting firm serving the payments and lending industries since 1984. Cardbeat is ACG’s syndicated market research study of credit card holders, conducted monthly in the U.S. and quarterly in the U.K. ACG also conducts research in the debit and prepaid space, and published a quarterly report known as The Debit Report. With offices in New York and London, ACG consultants are experienced practitioners, drawn from the credit card, private label, auto finance, mortgage, and retail banking industries that we serve. For more information, contact Dr. Patricia A. Sahm at 212-323-7000 or patricia.sahm@acg.net.

First Data’s Global Privacy Policy Approved by European Regulators

November 14, 2011 11:23 AM Eastern Time 

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Data Corporation, a global leader in electronic commerce and payment processing, today announced that its binding corporate rules for data privacy have been authorized by the United Kingdom’s Information Commissioner’s Office. First Data’s binding corporate rules have been approved by the data protection authorities in 18 European Union member states. First Data is the eleventh company to be authorized by the Information Commissioner’s Office, making it one of only a handful of companies worldwide that have completed this rigorous process to establish the highest standards of global data privacy practices. First Data is the first payment processor to have achieved this recognition.

“Data privacy is fundamental to the success of our business, and we’re deeply committed to protecting the information entrusted to us by our clients and employees alike. We have high standards for data privacy, and this recognition from exacting European regulators demonstrates our global leadership in data protection compliance”

The European Union’s Data Protection Directive is recognized worldwide for establishing rigorous data privacy protections. Binding corporate rules are a company-wide privacy policy to guarantee that a company’s practices are consistent with the European data protection law. They are considered the platinum standard for compliance with the European Union Data Protection Directive. First Data’s binding corporate rules are designed to enforce a consistent high standard for protecting personal data throughout the organization, and will allow First Data to transfer personal data from the European Economic Area to its affiliates elsewhere in the world—which is prohibited under the European Union Data Protection Directive unless adequate safeguards are in place.

“Data privacy is fundamental to the success of our business, and we’re deeply committed to protecting the information entrusted to us by our clients and employees alike. We have high standards for data privacy, and this recognition from exacting European regulators demonstrates our global leadership in data protection compliance,” said First Data Chief Executive Officer Jonathan J. Judge.

“First Data should be commended for its commitment to the concept of binding corporate rules and for the respect for the privacy of individuals that this demonstrates,” said David Smith, Deputy Information Commissioner for the United Kingdom. “The ICO welcomes approaches from multi-national organizations that need to share personal information within their own group, but outside Europe and who want to use binding corporate rules to enable that.”

First Data’s binding corporate rules are based on a set of principles, established in 2006, that limits access to personal data and only permits the transfer of personal data based on clear business need, and then only with adequate security and when all legal requirements are met. Now, the company will be able to respond to data transfer needs more quickly, contain infrastructure costs and manage its resources more efficiently. First Data’s customers can be confident that the company’s data protection practices have been scrutinized and approved by the European data protection regulators.

The initiative to create the binding corporate rules for data protection was led by John Atkins, First Data’s chief privacy officer, who oversaw the development of the company’s privacy program in the United States. First Data worked with the London office of the global law firm SNR Denton to develop and secure approval for its binding corporate rules.

Following approval of the binding corporate rules by the European data protection regulators, First Data will complete the formal local administrative processes and begin training and implementation.

Around the world, every second of every day, First Data makes payment transactions secure, fast and easy for merchants, financial institutions and their customers. First Data leverages its vast product portfolio and expertise to drive customer revenue and profitability. Whether the choice of payment is by debit or credit card, gift card, check or mobile phone, online or at the checkout counter, First Data takes every opportunity to go beyond the transaction.

Samsung's New Secu-NFC Chip Enables Secure Mobile Payment by Enhancing NFC with Security Features

PRESS RELEASE

Nov. 14, 2011, 9:00 p.m. EST

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov 14, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a world leader in advanced semiconductor solutions, announced today its new system-in-package (SIP) near field communications (NFC) chip, the SENHRN1. The new Secu-NFC chip combines a NFC controller and a secure element storing personal information and security keys with advanced encryption technologies, a prerequisite for reliable and efficient mobile payment on NFC-enabled mobile devices. Samsung's new NFC solution will be on display at CARTES 2011 from November 15th through 17th at the Samsung booth # 3 C 035 in hall 3 at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center.

"Mobile payment, ticketing, data sharing, electronic ID card functions are some of the diverse user services enabled by NFC technology, which is becoming a key service enabler on emerging convergence technologies," said Dojun Rhee, vice president of System LSI marketing, Device Solutions, Samsung Electronics. "Samsung's new secure NFC solution with its high data storage capacity provides consumers with ample room to expand operation service and features to deliver the ultimate user experience."

The new solution is based on Samsung's proven in-house expertise and experience in smartcard ICs, which involves advanced RF sensitivity features and enhanced data encryption technologies, and its wealth of package technology, utilizing advanced SIP technology.

Samsung's Secu-NFC chip, packaged as a SIP, has identical form factor measurements (4.3mm X 4.3mm X 1.0mm) as a standalone NFC chip. This raises the area space efficiencies on mobile devices. The pin-to-pin compatibility also allows mobile device's designers to immediately adopt the new solution without additional cost, engineering and design efforts.

The embedded secure element has a 760 Kilobyte (KB) high-density flash memory providing users with sufficient capacity to store one's choice of diverse mobile services such as credit card codes, e-money, transportation transaction/payment services, coupon services and more.

Moreover, Samsung secures various payment solutions including operation systems required for mobile payment services in respective regions and countries, including Europe, North America and China.

Samsung's NFC controller has an enhanced battery-off feature so it remains active for payment transactions even when the mobile device is discharged. Additionally, an embedded single wire protocol interface, allows consumers to enjoy the full breadth of services available by using U-SIM as well as the embedded secure element.

Samsung's Secu-NFC chip, the SENHRN1 is currently sampling to customers.

According to market research firm ABI Research, NFC-enabled mobile phones are expected to reach 34 million units in 2011 and at a 75 percent compound annual growth rate to reach 552 million units by 2016 of which up to 78 percent would be comprised of secure NFC enabled handsets with the embedded secure element.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2010 consolidated sales of US$135.8 billion. Employing approximately 190,500 people in 206 offices across 68 countries, the company consists of nine independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Memory, System LSI and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, semiconductor chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com .

Samsung and the stylized Samsung design are trademarks and service marks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Intel and MasterCard Join Forces to Enhance the Consumer Payment Experience for Online Shopping

Image via CrunchBase

November 14, 2011 07:00 AM Eastern Time 

Collaboration to provide more options for a safer and simpler check-out process for online merchants and consumers

SANTA CLARA, Calif. & PURCHASE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Intel Corporation and MasterCard Incorporated announced today a multi-year strategic collaboration to further enhance the security and consumer payment experience for online shopping.

“Our goal is to enable users of Ultrabook devices and future generations of Intel-based PCs to enjoy the convenience of e-commerce while making online payments safer from malware and hackers with the advanced security capabilities of Intel Identity Protection Technology”

The collaboration will combine MasterCard’s expertise in payment processing and commerce with Intel’s strengths in silicon innovation and chip-based security. It is designed to provide more options for a safer and simpler checkout process for online merchants and consumers using Ultrabook™ devices and future generations of Intel-based PCs.

The two companies are working together to optimize a variety of emerging payments technologies, including MasterCard’s PayPass® and Intel® Identity Protection Technology (IPT). Intel® Identity Protection Technology can enable consumers to use strong two-factor authentication and hardware-based display protection. This provides increased online security against malware. Additionally, when used with an Intel® Identity Protection Technology-enabled reader, consumers will be able to pay for online purchases with a simple tap of theirPayPass-enabled card, tag, or smart phone on an Ultrabook device.

“MasterCard is constantly working to improve the shopping experience for consumers and merchants,” said Ed McLaughlin, chief emerging payments officer, MasterCard. “The collaboration with Intel will deliver enhanced security and faster checkout – with the convenience of a simple click or tap.”

Consumers continue to shift their shopping to the Internet. Online sales reached $176.2 billion last year in the United States alone and are expected to grow at double-digit percentage rates annually for the next 5 years, according to Forrester Research.

“Our goal is to enable users of Ultrabook devices and future generations of Intel-based PCs to enjoy the convenience of e-commerce while making online payments safer from malware and hackers with the advanced security capabilities of Intel Identity Protection Technology,” said George Thangadurai, general manager of PC Client Services Division, Intel Corporation. “Online commerce is a key focus area for Intel, and through this partnership with MasterCard, we intend to deliver an innovative, personalized and safer e-commerce experience to consumers.”

About MasterCard

MasterCard (NYSE: MA) is a global payments and technology company. It operates the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Learn more at www.mastercard.com, follow us on Twitter @mastercardnews or join the conversation on The Heart of Commerce Blog.

About Intel

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world’s computing devices. Additional information about Intel is available at newsroom.intel.com and blogs.intel.com.

VeriFone to Acquire Point to Build out Alternative Payments Infrastructure

November 14, 2011 12:07 AM Eastern Time 

Accelerates Transformation to Managed Services Revenue Model

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--VeriFone Systems, Inc. (NYSE: PAY), today announced it has signed a definitive agreement with Nordic Capital Fund V (“Nordic Capital”) to acquire Point, Northern Europe’s largest provider of payment and gateway services and solutions for retailers. VeriFone intends to extend the Point platform throughout the region and beyond, with the aim of creating the world’s largest infrastructure for rapid deployment of alternative payments.

“We are committed to maintaining the high growth and entrepreneurial culture that has driven our success over the past two decades. We have known and worked with VeriFone for 20 years and their fast-paced culture is the Point culture.”

VeriFone will pay approximately €600 million to acquire all of the equity of Point and will also retire at closing existing Point debt of approximately €170 million. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of 2011, and is subject to customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to be accretive to non-GAAP earnings by $0.08 to $0.10 per fully diluted share in fiscal 2012 and $0.30 to $0.35 in fiscal 2013.

Point, based in Stockholm, has operations in 11 Northern European countries and serves a captive network encompassing almost 475,000 merchant contracts. Through this network, Point offers retailers a full range of services and solutions, including point-of-sale technology and support, gateway services, card encryption services, and multi-channel e-commerce processing. Point's recurring subscription services model ensures its customers always have the latest security, compliance and technological capabilities as well as uninterrupted and secure access to a broad range of mission critical services. Point efficiently passes transactions along from its network of gateways to a broad range of acquiring banks and processing entities.

Douglas G. Bergeron, VeriFone CEO, said: "We are delighted to welcome Point customers and Point employees to VeriFone. They have built a phenomenal business and we believe that the best is yet to come."

Bergeron added: “For the past two years, we have been transforming our business to respond to the rapidly evolving needs of consumers, retailers, and payment innovators worldwide. Our vision is to offer retailers everywhere a managed service to easily accept all existing payment types, including the evolving alternative and mobile payment methods being offered by Google, PayPal, Groupon, Isis, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. At the same time, we can increasingly offer the new payment entrants easy and accelerated access to our worldwide installation of more than 20 million merchant lanes.”

Johan Tjärnberg, Point CEO, said: "We are committed to maintaining the high growth and entrepreneurial culture that has driven our success over the past two decades. We have known and worked with VeriFone for 20 years and their fast-paced culture is the Point culture." Point, established in 1988, has enjoyed nearly a decade of consistent double-digit revenue growth, expanding margins, and impressive product innovation.

Since Nordic Capital acquired Point in 2004, the company has been transformed to be Europe’s leading provider of electronic payment solutions. The 125 software developers at Point have built unique European multi-country payment software that works seamlessly for traditional electronic payments and Internet payments.

“Under Nordic Capital’s ownership, Point has had fantastic growth, with sales close to five times higher than at the time of acquisition and taken the position as the leader in advanced payment services in Europe. Nordic Capital has supported the management to make significant R&D investments and do strategic add-on acquisitions, in order to create value and sustainable growth opportunities, and thereby make sure that Point remains a European leader in a field that has a tremendous growth potential,” said Fredrik Näslund, Partner, NC Advisory AB, advisor to the Nordic Capital Funds.

During the first 12 months, VeriFone expects the acquisition to add approximately $260 million in sales. The acquisition is also expected to be immediately accretive to VeriFone's gross margins, operating margins and growth rates. VeriFone expects total services revenue to exceed 30 percent of sales in fiscal year 2012, and 50 percent of revenue by fiscal year 2015. Detailed guidance will be provided at the VeriFone year-end conference call on December 14, 2011.

VeriFone was advised by Credit Suisse, KPMG, Gernandt & Danielsson, and Sullivan & Cromwell; Barclays Capital provided strategic advice to the company. J.P. Morgan, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Bank, Barclays Capital, and RBC Capital Markets have committed $1.6 billion to finance the acquisition, refinance VeriFone existing debt of $0.5 billion, and enable the company to maintain ample liquidity post transaction. Point and Nordic Capital were advised by J.P. Morgan, Seb Enskilda and White & Case.

Webcast Information

VeriFone will conduct a conference call to discuss the announcement with its shareholders today, Monday, November 14, at 6:00 AM Pacific. To access the audio webcast with slides, please go to VeriFone’s website (http://ir.verifone.com) at least ten minutes prior to the call to register.

To access the live conference call by phone, please dial the following numbers:

Domestic callers: 866-730-5766
International callers: +1-857-350-1590
Passcode: 6299 2650

The recorded audio webcast will be available on VeriFone’s website until November 21, 2011.

A replay of the conference call, which can be accessed by dialing toll-free 888-286-8010, and outside the U.S. by dialing +1-617-801-6888, will be available until November 21, 2011. The access code for the replay is 8334 3026.

Oberthur Technologies and AuthenTec Team Up to Demonstrate Fingerprint-enabled Access to SIM-based NFC Services

November 14, 2011 08:15 AM Eastern Time 

CARTES & IDentification 2011

NANTERRE, France & MELBOURNE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

“Combining AuthenTec’s fingerprint authentication with the security features of Oberthur Technologies’ SIM-based design extends trust beyond the SIM and the mobile device to establish confidence that only an authorized user is presenting a smartphone for mobile payment”

• Companies Develop a New SIM-based NFC Mobile Services Platform for Fingerprint-enabled Android Smartphones
• Will Demonstrate Strong but Effortless Security that Enhances the Mobile Payment Experience at CARTES & IDentification 2011

Oberthur Technologies, a world leader in the field of secure technologies, and AuthenTec (NASDAQ: AUTH), a leading provider of security and identity management solutions, have joined forces to create SIM / Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) based designs that make NFC mobile payment via smartphones faster and more secure. The companies will combine their expertise in SIM/UICC security and fingerprint identity to jointly create easy-to-integrate solutions that enhance the speed and security of mobile payment transactions.

The companies’ first fingerprint/NFC demonstration combines Oberthur Technologies’ NFC FlyBuy SIM card with NFC SIM Adaptor coupled with AuthenTec’s fingerprint scanner in the Motorola Atrix to enable single-gesture, biometrically secured access to mobile contactless services, such as mobile payment, mobile ID, and physical access control.

Oberthur Technologies and AuthenTec worked with INSIDE Secure, a leading provider of NFC technology, to implement control of NFC functions using the fingerprint solution on a FlyBuy NFC SIM card. This easy-to-add yet secure solution will be demonstrated over a mobile payment scenario at the Oberthur Technologies and INSIDE Secure booths at the upcoming CARTES & IDentification 2011 in Paris from November 15-17, 2011.

“Combining AuthenTec’s fingerprint authentication with the security features of Oberthur Technologies’ SIM-based design extends trust beyond the SIM and the mobile device to establish confidence that only an authorized user is presenting a smartphone for mobile payment,” said Cédric Collomb, Cards & Services General Manager, Card Systems Division at Oberthur Technologies. “The AuthenTec-Oberthur Technologies solution, which incorporates INSIDE Secure’s NFC chipset, can easily be inserted into smartphones such as the Atrix to quickly add NFC capability. We look forward to bringing similar SIM-based, fingerprint-enabled NFC solutions to market, since we believe they will be key to the broad adoption of NFC around the world.”

“Our collaboration with Oberthur Technologies and INSIDE Secure paves the way for match-on-SIM solutions for smartphones that give greater confidence in the security and protection of NFC mobile payments/applications,” said AuthenTec CEO Larry Ciaccia. “Fingerprint has a well established track record as a reliable, easy-to-use form of biometric authentication with over 10 million fingerprint-enabled NFC mobile wallets already in use since 2004. By combining our expertise in fingerprint security with Oberthur Technologies’ and INSIDE Secure’s expertise in SIM-based and NFC designs, we will give operators and users the option of easy-to-add yet highly secure NFC solutions for smartphones.”

“INSIDE Secure views the security and convenience illustrated by the Oberthur Technologies -AuthenTec design as important enablers of widespread adoption for NFC applications,” said Didier Serra,Executive Vice President and General Manager for the United States at INSIDE Secure. “We look forward to our continued collaboration with Oberthur Technologies and AuthenTec on fast and secure add-on solutions for NFC mobile payments.”

The demonstration at CARTES will illustrate how quickly yet securely users can make a mobile payment by simply swiping a finger over AuthenTec’s smart sensor on a fingerprint-enabled phone such as Motorola’s ATRIX. Smartphone users can easily access a credit or debit card of their choice by associating different payment methods with different fingers. This allows them to choose a payment method, authenticate, and activate the desired payment card with a single swipe of a finger, then tap the phone on a terminal to complete the NFC transaction. The Oberthur Technologies-AuthenTec solution helps enable single-gesture payments, making NFC applications more convenient and secure.

Security, speed and convenience are often cited as key adoption criteria for consumer adoption of NFC-capable smartphones, which are forecast to grow to nearly 300 million units worldwide by 2014 according to Juniper Research.

FinTech 2011 Announced by TAG

November 14, 2011 07:00 AM Eastern Time 

Second Annual Symposium Includes Discussions on Monetizing Financial Data and Recognizes Peter J. Kight for contributions to Financial Technology

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TAG FinTech: 

WHAT:			FinTech Georgia 2011 is an annual symposium that will showcase some of the leading financial and payment industry executives discussing the future of technology, emerging trends in payments and factors shaping the industry, such as the Dodd Frank/Durbin Amendment.
			Peter J. Kight, founder and former chairman of CheckFree Corporation (now Fiserv), will provide this year’s keynote address as he accepts FinTech Georgia’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
.
WHO:			TAG FinTech, a society of Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
WHEN:			Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead
CONTACT:			Media contact: Scott Mills at 678.781.7201 or scott@williammills.com
			To register visit: http://tiny.cc/18es9

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)

The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 13,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG’s mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia’s technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia’s technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state’s economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG’s charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at www.tagonline.org or TAG’s community website at www.TAGthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visithttp://www.tagedonline.org/.

About TAG FinTech

TAG FinTech was founded in 2010 to address the specific needs of companies, individuals and investors serving the financial industry both domestically and abroad. Financial technology or FinTech encompasses products, solutions, services and information providers, which drive decisions, process payments and facilitate transactions for financial institutions. Georgia FinTech company revenues are more than $34 billion annually, which places it third in the nation behind New York and California. Together, the banking, insurance and capital markets consistently spend more on technology than any other industry. For more information about FinTech, seehttp://www.tagonline.org/TAG-FinTech.php.

HID Global and Sony Announce NFC Enabled Smart Card Reader Global Platform for Laptops/Mobile Device Market

November 14, 2011 03:01 AM Eastern Time 

Companies Will Demonstrate Jointly Developed Solution at CARTES & IDentification 2011

CARTES & IDentification 2011

IRVINE, Calif. & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HID Global, trusted leader in solutions for the delivery of secure identity, and Sony Corporation today announced a jointly developed contactless smart card reader platform that embeds secure access control capabilities and Near Field Communication (NFC) functionality into laptops and other mobile devices. The platform holds a secure element that stores cryptographic keys which secure the authenticity and integrity of user credentials. It supports widely used contactless technologies for applications ranging from physical access control and identity assurance at the desktop to transit-fare, point-of-sale collection and loyalty programs.

“We are very pleased with this first solution from our strategic partnership with HID Global”

The jointly developed NFC global reader platform is the result of a strategic partnership that Sony and HID Global announced last year. Both companies will be demonstrating the platform November 15-17, 2011, at the CARTES & IDentification 2011 conference in Paris, where it will be shown reading a variety of card technologies using NFC, a short-range wireless technology that is now fueling a wide range of new mobile access control applications. The HID Global demonstration can be seen in Stand F002, Hall 3 in the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center, while the Sony demonstration will be located in Stand 4L051, Hall 4.

In continuing to work closely with the NFC Forum in support of market-driven compliance and interoperability goals, the reader platform has been provided to the NFC Forum Certification Program as a reference sample to assist in the validation of the Digital Protocol test tools. The reader platform will also be submitted for certification.

“HID Global and Sony have delivered an exciting new embedded reader platform that will be offered to all manufacturers of laptops and other mobile devices,” said Debra Spitler, vice president of mobile access solutions with HID Global. “HID Global continues to expand our access control system and card services businesses while bringing our partners and customers new products and deployment models that improve user security, flexibility and convenience.”

“We are very pleased with this first solution from our strategic partnership with HID Global,” said Yoshihiko Kawakami, general manager of sales with Sony’s FeliCa Business Division. “This is an important milestone that moves our FeliCa contactless card technology and NFC solutions into the global market. By releasing the new reader platform, we will play a role in providing a part of the NFC infrastructure in the global NFC era.”

The jointly developed platform supports Sony’s FeliCa^TM technology, HID Global’s iCLASS® and iCLASS SE^TMcredentials, MIFARE® DESFire EV1 credentials, and other broadly adopted technologies supporting the ISO/IEC 14443 Type A/B contactless smart card standard using the T=CL contactless transmission protocol. The solution also supports the industry-standard PC/SC Version 2.0 specification for the programming interfaces between PC applications, the operating system and smart cards. It is also prepared to further support the proximity features of the next major release of the Microsoft® Windows® operating system which enable communication between NFC tags and devices (mobile phones or computers) using a tap gesture, as well as the Android operating system for tablet products.

Availability

Sony and HID Global have released a complete reference design for the jointly developed embedded NFC module, and will also provide comprehensive developer support to minimize product development requirements and speed time-to-market schedules for PC OEMs. During CARTES & IDentification 2011, the two companies will show laptop computers running HID Global’s naviGO™ credential management software and a number of Sony FeliCa applications, including the Sony FeliCa Launcher platform service as well as the company’s e-Money Viewer widget. The companies will also show the platform operating with Sony’s NFC Dynamic Tag, a FeliCa wireless module with a cable interface that enables data transmission between NFC reader/writers and other electronic equipment and devices.

About HID Global

HID Global is the trusted source for secure identity solutions for millions of customers around the world. Recognized for robust quality, innovative designs and industry leadership, HID Global is the supplier of choice for OEMs, system integrators, and application developers serving a variety of markets. These markets include physical and logical access control, including strong authentication and credential management; card printing and personalization; highly secure government ID; and identification technologies used in animal ID and industry and logistics applications. The company's primary brands include HID®, ActivIdentity™, FARGO®, and LaserCard®. Headquartered in Irvine, California, HID Global has over 2,100 employees worldwide and operates international offices that support more than 100 countries. HID Global is an ASSA ABLOY Group brand. For more information, visit www.hidglobal.com.

About Sony Corporation

Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and online businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $87 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.

Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net/

Sony FeliCa Web Site: http://www.sony.net/Products/felica/

® HID and the HID logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of HID Global in the U.S. and/or other countries.

FeliCa is a trademark of Sony Corporation. All other trademarks, service marks, and product or service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.