Smart Card Alliance Latin America

Featured Content

Smart Card Alliance — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:09:00 -0400

Dear Members and Friends of the Smart Card Alliance Latino America – SCALA:

Throughout history, change has consistently been met with resistance. This resistance is usually due to a fear of the unknown, along with the pervasive thought that the status quo is not that bad (even if it is really is). But as difficult and challenging as change can be, it is the engine that propels the world to continue moving forward, and the smart card industry is a prime example of that.

Read full letter »

Featured Content

Smart Card Alliance — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:56:00 -0400

Dear Members and Friends of the Smart Card Alliance Latin America & the Caribbean,

This month, I would like to elaborate on SCALA’s role as an industry advocate for smart card technology. The term advocate is easily confused by many in Latin America due to the difficulty of finding an accurate translation. While the word “promotion” may seem accurate when translated to Spanish, there are aspects of SCALA’s advocacy that go beyond the promotion of the technology.

Read full letter »

Smart Card Alliance Latino America (SCALA) to Host Information Exchange Program with Mexican Government

Smart Card Alliance — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:57:00 -0400

Industry and government leadership to exchange knowledge, experiences and information related to smart card technology

Princeton Junction, N.J., April 15, 2013–The Smart Card Alliance Latino America (SCALA) today announced its next Government Information Exchange mission for May 29, 2013 at the Mar¬riott Reforma Hotel in Mexico City, Mexico. An exclusive activity for SCALA member organizations, the Government Information Exchange provides an impartial platform for industry and government leadership to exchange knowledge, experiences, and information related to smart card technology.

“We developed the Government Exchange Programs to help governments understand smart card technology and allow them to discuss concepts, exchange ideas, clarify points, and interact with industry leaders in a completely impartial forum,” said Edgar Betts, associate director of SCALA. “For this exchange in Mexico, we will collaborate with our member organizations to provide key elements and tools for Mexican government agencies to develop successful implementations of best-in-class solutions.”

SCALA has partnered with the U.S. Commercial Services (USCS) to develop the Government Information Exchange mission to Mexico. The one-day Exchange gives government agency executives the opportunity to receive impartial information and resources on the opportunities that smart card technology can create. Planned education from SCALA member organizations and leadership includes success cases of the use of smart card technology for many government initiatives including public registry, national ID, e-Passports, driver’s licenses, access control, and government ID, as well as the possibilities for technology partnerships to meet initiative goals.

The Government Information Exchange is open to all SCALA members. For more information on how to participate visit http://www.cvent.com/d/mcqfvy.

About the Smart Card Alliance Latino America (SCALA)

The primary mission of the Smart Card Alliance Latino America, a chapter, is in line with the overall goals of the Alliance: to stimulate the understanding, adoption, use and widespread application of smart cards technology in Latin America and the Caribbean. SCALA works through specific projects such as trilingual education programs, market research, advocacy, industry relations and open forums to keep Latin American chapter organization members connected to industry leaders and innovative thought. For more information to becoming a SCALA member please visit http://www.sca-la.org.

About the Smart Card Alliance

The Smart Card Alliance is a not-for-profit, multi-industry association working to stimulate the understanding, adoption, use and widespread application of smart card technology.

Through specific projects such as education programs, market research, advocacy, industry relations and open forums, the Alliance keeps its members connected to industry leaders and innovative thought. The Alliance is the single industry voice for smart cards, leading industry discussion on the impact and value of smart cards in the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. For more information please visit http://www.smartcardalliance.org.

Infineon's SOLID FLASH™ Security Controllers Selected by VISA for New GlobalPlatform Payment Cards in the Latin America and Caribbean Region

Smart Card Alliance — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:11:00 -0400

Neubiberg, Germany and Sao Paolo, Brazil, April 11, 2013–Infineon Technologies (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY) today announced that it was selected by Visa as a preferred supplier of security controllers for new GlobalPlatform compliant payment cards issued in the Latin America and Caribbean region (LAC). Infineon will supply its SOLID FLASH™ security controllers for both contact-based as well as Dual Interface debit and credit cards including VISA approved VSDC (Visa Smart Debit Credit) applets. Infineon supports the payment industry with the latest VSDC applets to provide scheme compatibility and to enable regional card manufacturers to better serve their markets.

“Infineon’s SOLID FLASH offering combined with our innovative ‘Coil on Module’ chip package will provide major advantages to card manufacturers facing growing demand for Dual Interface payment cards worldwide and particularly in Latin America,” says Thomas Rosteck, Vice President and General Manager Secure Mobile & Transaction of the Chip Card & Security Division at Infineon Technologies. “As market and technology leader for security chips in payment applications, we always aim to provide best-in-class secure semiconductor solutions to the smart card industry,” he adds.

SOLID FLASH controllers can be quickly and securely programmed by card application developers, which speeds time-to-market compared to less flexible programmable ROM (read-only memory) devices. Furthermore, card manufacturers using Infineon’s ‘Coil on Module’ (CoM) package technology can produce Dual Interface chip cards on existing contact-based equipment without major investments, hence accelerating the introduction of payment solutions which support contactless functionality.

Dual Interface (DIF) controllers that can be used for both contact-based (CB) and new contactless applications face growing demand in the global payments industry. In the Latin American region, IMS Research (an IHS company) estimates that shipments of DIF payment cards will rise from 25 million units in 2012 to 248 million in 2017. This means the share of DIF payment card shipments in respect to total shipments of smart cards (DIF and CB) will rise from 11 percent in 2012 to 67 percent in 2017.

Reduced Time-to-Market and Increased Flexibility

Infineon’s true 16-bit SLE 77 SOLID FLASH security microcontrollers enable quick, easy and secure loading of smart payment applets that run on the Visa GlobalPlatform Operating System. Their transaction time for contactless applications is proven in the field to be up to 40 percent faster than conventional 8-bit products.

SOLID FLASH products significantly reduce the application development schedule due to much faster cycle times, improve the logistic process and optimize time-to-market. Furthermore, chip samples can be instantly delivered while lead times for volume delivery can be cut in half compared to traditional security microcontrollers. The SLE 77 SOLID FLASH products are fully tested and compliant with the security and interoperability requirements of EMVCo (Europay, Mastercard, Visa).

In addition to the advantages of its flash-based security controllers, Infineon’s new ‘Coil on Module’ package allows chip card manufacturers to better serve growing demand for Dual Interface chip cards. ‘Coil on Module’ uses an RF (Radio Frequency) link instead of a mechanical-electrical connection between the card antenna and the chip module. This improves the robustness of the payment card, simplifies card design and the chip module can be implanted into the card up to five times faster compared with conventional technologies. Further information is available at: http://www.infineon.com/CoM

GlobalPlatform is a non-profit association that works across industries to create specifications that facilitate the secure and interoperable deployment and management of multiple embedded applications on secure chip technology. Broad membership and close collaboration with ISO ensures a wide adoption of GlobalPlatform technology. Further information is available at: http://www.globalplatform.org

Security for the connected world

Based on its core competencies in the fields of security, contactless communication and integrated microcontroller solutions, Infineon offers a comprehensive portfolio of semiconductor-based security products for many chip card and security applications. Infineon uses this expertise to increase security in an increasingly connected world, e.g. mobile payments, system security and secure electronic sovereign documents. Infineon has developed innovative, hardware-based security solutions for over 25 years and has been the global market leader for 15 years. Further information on Infineon’s chip card and security solutions is available under http://www.infineon.com/chip-card-and-security.

About Infineon

Infineon Technologies AG, Neubiberg, Germany, offers semiconductor and system solutions addressing three central challenges to modern society: energy efficiency, mobility, and security. In the 2012 fiscal year (ending September 30), the Company reported sales of Euro 3.9 billion with close to 26,700 employees worldwide. Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX) and in the USA on the over-the-counter market OTCQX International Premier (ticker symbol: IFNNY).

Featured Content

Smart Card Alliance — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:42:00 -0400

Dear Members and Friends of the Smart Card Alliance Latin America & the Caribbean,

I’m pleased to announce our next Government Information Exchange mission, an exclusive activity for SCALA member organizations.

This members-only activity allows our affiliated organizations to interact with key government agencies in Mexico to exchange knowledge, experiences, and information related to smart card technology. The Government Information Exchange provides an impartial platform to gather industry and government leadership to share valuable information that helps to improve governmental efficiencies, services, and smart card projects through education.

Read full letter »

GIE 2013

Smart Card Alliance — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:38:00 -0400

Featured Content

Smart Card Alliance — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:55:00 -0500

Dear Members and Friends of the Smart Card Alliance Latin America & the Caribbean,

I hope that you have been able to enjoy the various celebrations this month. It is impossible not to feel amazed at the level of coordination necessary for the carnival shows with their grandiose floats, outfits, and dancing. The most famous of these parties is the Rio de Janeiro carnival at the “sambódromo,” where I was astonished at the messages that were conveyed through music, dance, and choreography. It provides us with a glimpse of what can be accomplished and what thoughts can be communicated when you have an organized group of people working for the same cause with a coordinated understanding of their role in the grand scheme of things.

Read full letter »

Featured Content

Smart Card Alliance — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 07:53:00 -0500

Dear Members and Friends of the Smart Card Alliance Latin America & the Caribbean,

As we start this exciting New Year with its challenges and opportunities, there are a few items to share concerning activities we are working on to improve the access to information on smart card technology to SCALA members. As the year moves on, these activities, deliverables, and strategies will be formally unveiled, but this is a good opportunity to give you an overview of what you can expect from SCALA, and to encourage each of you to become involved.

Read full letter »

Featured Content

Smart Card Alliance — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:55:00 -0500

New! 2012 Smart Card E-Yearbook

I’m delighted to announce the publication of the second E-Yearbook from the Smart Card Alliance. This year’s issue features content on the advancements across many markets in the smart card industry, and recaps the productive year of our members who contributed their resources and expertise to the Smart Card Alliance.

The E-Yearbook serves as both a repository of industry information and a snapshot of the many advances that took place in 2012. You have multiple options to view the E-Yearbook. You can read it online and enjoy an electronic viewing experience, or download a copy to your PC or mobile device and read it at your convenience. Whatever method you choose, you’ll have access to an overview of thoughts, perspectives, insights and profiles across a broad spectrum of markets and technologies in a visually appealing style.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Randy Vanderhoof
Executive Director, Smart Card Alliance

Featured Content

Smart Card Alliance — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 13:10:00 -0500

Industry Leadership

Last month, SCALA held an Advisory Board of Directors meeting in Miami, Florida, with participation from Gemalto, Giesecke & Devrient, Magicard, MasterCard Worldwide, Oberthur Technologies, Safran Morpho, Visa Inc., and representatives of the U.S. Smart Card Alliance. Our industry leadership plans to engage our general membership so that we develop a coordinated effort to unite the industry under SCALA to help guide the marketplace into the future.

Read full letter »