Gemalto is in talks with XIRING, a provider of smart card-based authentication solutions for e-banking and e-commerce, announced that they have entered into exclusive negotiations with the objective to complete the acquisition by Gemalto of the XIRING banking activity.
 
Read more »

Tullahoma, Tenn.-based Ascend Federal Credit Union has deployed a physcial and logical access control system from Diebold Inc. at its headquarters. The solution integrates physical and logical access control with smart card technology and manages access control and an Internet Protocol surveillance solution.

Ascend deployed a smart card solution that allowed the credit union to migrate from traditional key and password controls to a single card that permits access to both physical assets and computer applications. It utilizes Passlogix’s v-GO SS Enterprise Single Sign-On (ESSO) solution, which is a part of its Access Accelerator Suite. 
Read more »

If you think that campus ID programs aren’t using smart cards, think again. More than 200 universities have signed on to work with Banco Santander’s University Smart Card program.

The massive financial institution based in Spain has issued more than 4 million smart cards to the university ID cardholders for secure contactless access to facilities, online access to computer networks, payment in campus eateries and vending machines, storing grades and personal documents, and more. Optionally, the card can be linked to a Santander bank account and function for EMV payments as well. 
Read more »

HID Global announced the introduction of the OMNIKEY 5321 CR USB Reader, a waterproof contactless PC-linked smart card reader that enables the use of logical access in hygienic environments.

The reader is designed to be an extension of HID’s logical access reader line, enabling end-users to experience the convenience, speed and security of contactless technology, while utilizing the same smart card they use for physical access for logical access to PCs and IT networks within environments where hygiene standards need to be maintained. 
Read more »

UPEK, a developer of fingerprint biometric solutions, has announced the release of two new fingerprint scanners called EikonTouch 300 and EikonTouch 700.

Both are connected to PCs via a USB annd feature a one-touch interface. The main differences between the two are that the 700, which is designed for use in the government sector, is intended for multi-user applications in mind and the 300, which is designed for use in rugged conditions, is intended as a cost-sensitive solution that is needed for harsh environments.  

Atmel Corporation announced a new micrcontroller for the smart card reader market, a security module and a crpto radio frequency starter kit.

The Atmel AVR microcontroller is designed for the smart card reader market, targeting the low-cost, high volume market. The AT90SCR050 includes an Atmel AVR microcontroller, 16 KB of ROM, USB FS2.0 and smart card interface with an integrated DC/DC to support cards compliant with the EMV L1 requirement and ISO7816. These features offer designers a system solution to help bring high-volume products to market at cost-effective price points. 
Read more »

Visa Europe has made an investment in authentication company, Emue Technologies.

Emue has been working with Visa Europe over the past 18 months to develop the Visa CodeSure solution which provides authentication and transaction security through a unique payment card with an embedded display, microprocessor and numeric keypad. 
Read more »