The Smart Card Alliance Contactless and Mobile Payments Council announced that it will focus on educating the public on the security benefits of chip card technology and how it can possibly reduce fraud in the U.S. The council also announced its new officers and steering committee.

The council’s recent educational efforts included support for a position paper, “End-to-End Encryption and Chip Cards in the U.S. Payments Industry,” which proposes using chip card technology to protect cardholder data and reduce fraud. 

Smart card provider Oberthur Technologies has completed MasterCard certification in its Compliance Assessment and Security Testing program for its flash memory-based payment card, giving financial institutions more flexibility in card issuance.

Flash memory based products reduces time to market by eliminating the “masking” phase, which is usually required to load software onto the payment card’s chip during the manufacturing process. With Flash memory, cards can be securely loaded with customized applications such as debit, credit or other payment applications without having to go through the masking process.

Flash technology is commonly used in SIM cards for mobile phones or for mass storage devices. It provides greater flexibility for managing applications and no power is needed to maintain the stored information.  

SCM Microsystems Japan Inc., Dai Nippon Printing Co. and Japan consultant Digital Media Research Institute have launched a new digital data security solution using cloud computing technologies. The high-security data storage system developed by Dai Nippon consists of the company’s TranC’ert DNA software, a SIM card and SCM’s @MAXX lite secure smart card reader. Digital Media is providing sales and consulting services for the implementation of the new system.

Dai Nippon’s TranC’ert software splits up and encrypts sensitive or confidential data and stores it on three servers, which secures and protects the information from loss, damage or theft. 

GlobalPlatform has launched a Transportation Task Force to contribute to the evolution of smart ticketing solutions and to promote the benefits that GlobalPlatform’s technology can bring to the sector.

The Transportation Task Force will aim to create a forum with other transportation organizations to promote the value that interoperable technology can add to smart ticketing implementations. The group will also work with the organization’s Card, Device and Systems Committees to modify and advance GlobalPlatform’s existing specifications to address specific requirements as highlighted by the industry. 

SMARTRAC has launched a research project to identify and implement biodegradable production materials for use in its production of RFID transponder units.

The research project will be conducted by the SMARTRAC Research & Development department together with several technology institutes in Bangkok, Thailand. In addition, SMARTRAC researchers are currently consulting substrate manufacturers and leading chemical companies. 

CONNECTHINGS, INSIDE Contactless and SAGEM Wireless announced they have formed a consortium to develop the Smart Muse Mobile NFC Tour guide and deploy two pilot demonstrations in the old center of the City of Nice and at the Teen Gallery at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

Smart Muse will enable visitors to easily access location- and time-specific multimedia information on NFC-enabled mobile phones by simply “waving” the device over NFC tags. 

Hospitality security provider VingCard, part of the ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Group, has completed installation of its Signature RFID contactless electronic door locks with NFC cell phone compatibility at the Grand Millennium Sukhumvit in Bangkok, Thailand.

Signature RFID locks allow for contactless guest room entry and are compatible with NFC cell phones.

Additionally, Signature RFID locks require fewer battery changes than traditional electronic locks, meaning less waste. The lock’s sealed hardware design also means less maintenance because the mechanism does not require cleaning.