Sun Announces Java Card(TM) Technology Version 2.2
04 May, 2002
category: Digital ID, Education, Health
SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ –Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) today announced that the upcoming new
release of Java Card(TM) technology, version 2.2, will further enhance the
industry’s leading open and secure standard for multi-application smart cards
(http://java.sun.com/javacard). The new release features technologies for
easier programming of Java Card technology-based applications and improved
interoperability of applications on smart cards from different vendors. In
addition, the release also includes improved support for wireless standards to
provide access to more sophisticated wireless-based services.
Around the world, Java Card technology is key to the design and delivery
of secure, value-added services to smart card users. Java Card
technology-enabled smart cards can securely store large amounts of personal
information and multiple applications on an integrated microprocessor chip
that is available in many different form factors, including one identical in
size and feel to a credit card.
“With more than 200 million smart cards deployed worldwide, Java Card
technology is clearly the platform of choice for multi-application smart
cards,” said Tracey Stout, vice president of marketing for Java and XML
Software at Sun Microsystems, Inc. “Smart card solutions based on Java Card
technology are being rolled out to users throughout the world for use with
applications that require high levels of security, such as financial services,
government, personal identity, telecommunications and e-commerce.”
New features of Java Card technology include:
<br /><br />-- Java Card Remote Method of Invocation (RMI) - Allows developers to
design applications more easily by enabling the use of Java technology
for both the card and terminal.
<br /><br />-- Improvements for compatibility - Helps manufacturers ensure compliance
of implementations to provide issuers with flexibility and choice in
choosing smart card offerings.
<br /><br />-- Advanced support for wireless standards - Provides issuers with access
to more sophisticated and interoperable services through logical
channel support requested by standards organizations, such as European
Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), Third Generation Partner
Project (3GPP) and Wireless Access Protocol (WAP).
<br /><br />-- Improved memory management - Enables issuers to optimize use of memory
space on a smart card.
<br /><br />-- Next-generation security enhancements - Provides issuers with more
security options by supporting additional cryptographic algorithms AES
and elliptic curves.
<br /><br />Java Card version 2.1 applications will run on the Java Card technology
version 2.2 platform without any modifications, thereby ensuring a smooth
transition for scores of applications available today on millions of Java Card
technology-enabled smart cards.
<br /><br />Java Card Technology Momentum
<br /><br />Java Card is a proven technology currently deployed worldwide in various
smart card solutions in an array of industries including financial services,
government and telecommunications industries.
American Express and Visa have adopted Java Card technology as the
platform of choice for the development of their smart card applications. Java
Card technology-based smart card solutions can support value-added services
including stored value, Europay Master Card Visa debit/credit, loyalty, and
Internet public key authentication.
Government agencies are currently issuing Java Card technology-based smart
cards as their new identification cards to replace existing “paper”
identification cards. Most recently the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
named Java Card technology as the platform of choice for the Transportation
Workers(TW) card, the first national identity card for transportation workers.
The Department of Defense is issuing a Common Access Card to 4.3 million
active duty U.S. military personnel and eligible contractors. The Government
of Taiwan will deploy a Java Card technology-based smart card as their new
health insurance identification card to all 24 million residents.
Telecommunications carriers such as China Mobile, France Telecom, Hong
Kong Telecom, Orange, Swisscom, Telecom Italia Mobile and Telefonica have
deployed millions of Java Card technology-based Subscriber Identity Modules
(SIM)cards worldwide. Java Card technology-enabled SIM cards allow operators
to provide secure, innovative services on mobile devices.
<br /><br />Sun at CTST 2002
<br /><br />At Card Tech Secur Tech 2002 in New Orleans this week, Sun Microsystems
and key industry players including Cardtronic, Gemplus and Schlumberger will
demonstrate Java Card technology-based smart card solutions in Booth #1647 at
the Morial Convention Center Expo.
For more information on Java Card technology, please visit
http://java.sun.com/javacard.
About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision – “The Network Is The
Computer(TM)” – has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. to its position as a
leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that
power the Internet and allow companies worldwide to take their businesses to
the nth. Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide
Web at http://sun.com.
NOTE: Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Java Card, Java and The
Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun
Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
<br /><br />CONTACT: Melissa Pereira of Sun Microsystems, Inc., +1-408-276-6039, or
[email protected]; or Jennifer Marples of Citigate Cunningham,
+1-415-618-8753, or [email protected], for Sun Microsystems,
Inc.