Quantum Secure acquired by HID Global; FIS adding the ability to access account information and withdrawal cash at ATMs with Apple’s Touch ID; 7Layers and FIME partner for testing and certification in the NFC-enabled handset market.

Cryptomathic is calling for new European Union standards to recognize cloud-based digital signature schemes; TSA’s PreCheck passes 1 million enrollees; HID Global announced the commercial availability of HID Trusted Tag Solutions; and Bell ID announced that recent growth of host card emulation has seen the company strengthen its global position in the mobile payments market.

Entrust Datacard unveiled the new Datacard TruCredential Suite Software; NEC India Pvt. Ltd., NEC Corp. and Innovative Telecom & Softwares Pvt. Ltd., announced the deployment of NEC’s face recognition technology for Surat City Police; Côte d’Ivoire has selected Zetes for registration and the production of cards for 4 million health card cards; FIME and Thales have announced the launch of a joint offering for the host-card emulation (HCE) mobile services market.

Mobile payments will be a complement to payment cards and Apple embracing NFC is exciting progress and a major step toward the future. The fact that Apple will leverage NFC with ApplePay will help adoption of newer device-centric technologies that converge mobile and identity.

Access-IS launched its new Supplemental Access Control compliant devices; FIME announced that its laboratories in Asia, EMEA and Korea have been qualified to perform official NFC Forum analog certification testing; Farpointe Data released a system that protects card-based systems from skimming, eavesdropping and relay attacks; MorphoTrak announced Scott Swann has joined the company as the senior director of innovation for the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Business Unit.

Cards will not be going away any time soon. They along with mobile devices will work together seamlessly within a centralized identity management system that will support both form factors. These new systems will support their use across multiple applications and on a growing range of digital platforms beyond smartphones including wearables.

A few years ago, nobody would imagine that contactless smart cards could be replaced. They were popular because of the convenience they offer in security, identification and variety of applications like access control, time & attendance or vending. Nevertheless, their unique position is put into question as today’s smartphones can do more than just writing short messages and making phone calls.

The Winter 2014 issue of Regarding ID magazine looks at the rise of mobile identity; possible revisions to the four levels of assurance; how the airport of the future will identify travelers; a look at PIV-I and CIV; new certification for physical access control and the latest NSTIC pilot winners.

Gemalto acquired all of the outstanding shares of Marquis ID Systems; HID Global announced the addition of partners who have joined the company’s Enterprise Application Partners program; Entrust Datacard released the Datacard DuraShield Holographic Overlay to its secure supply product line; The Secure Identity & Biometrics Association and the Security Industry Association announced the formation of the Airport Entry and Exit Working Group; Farpointe Data unveiled its P-900 proximity reader that enables up to 20-inch read range applications.

Datacard Group and Entrust announced a new company name, logo and corporate brand identity; HID Global released the results of its HID Trusted Tag Services pilot; VASCO Data Security announced two new DIGIPASS Authenticators with Bluetooth capabilities;
Authentify Inc. announced that Data Center Inc. has agreed to supply its nationwide community bank clients with phone-based authentication services; Datacard Group announced the addition of the SD160 card printer to its SD Series product suite.