Siemens Business Services receives new smart card order from Italian Ministry of Defense
03 February, 2004
category: Biometrics, Government
Munich, Jan 30, 2004–Following practical tests of the Siemens smartcards by soldiers of the Italian army, their colleagues in naval, air force and other units are now equipped with an absolutely reliable method of identifying themselves. The Italian Ministry of Defense in Rome has been given a new order of the “Defense Multipurpose Card” to Siemens Business Services: Some 140,000 cards are now ordered additionally to the 110,000 cards which have already been delivered to the army.
The Defense Multipurpose Card, as the smartcard is known, contains not only personal data and a photo of the holder, but also a fingerprint, medical health data and the necessary digital certificates. These are needed for authentication, encryption of e-mails and electronic signature. The card has a 32-KB memory capacity and is certified according to the highest European security standard for digital signatures (ITSEC e4 high). With the aid of a PC with a suitable drive, it is possible to verify beyond doubt the authenticity of the card, the identity of the holder and the correctness of the stored data from any location. Conversely, military personnel can use the card to access information in the network without any risk.
Siemens Business Services supplies the smartcards via Siemens Informatica and is responsible for installing and configuring the Public Key Infrastructure required for authentication and digital signatures.
According to Peter Blaschke, Segment Manager Government at Siemens Business Services: “In adopting this smartcard solution, the Italian Ministry of Defense is setting an example for other defense ministries both within Europe and in other countries. In the coming years we will find similar infrastructures in other branches in the public administration sector in Europe.”
Siemens Business Services is an internationally leading IT service provider. This Siemens Group offers services all along the IT service chain from a single source – from consulting to systems integration, right through to the management of IT infrastructures. Thanks to comprehensive know-how and sector-specific expertise, the company provides measurable added value for its customers. With regard to outsourcing and IT maintenance, Siemens Business Services is among the top ten providers worldwide. Sales in fiscal year 2003 (ending 30 September 2003) came to around EUR 5.2 billion, 76 percent of which was achieved outside the Siemens organization. The company currently has approx. 34,300 employees worldwide. Further information at http://www.siemens.com/sbs
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