It is well established that advanced card materials can be used to build more durable, long lasting and counterfeit-resistant ID cards. While 100% PVC cards were once seen as adequate, secure card issuers are widely recognizing their limitations. PVC is cheap, easy to obtain and it can be rapidly printed with off-the-shelf, inexpensive card printers. […]

The Secure Technology Alliance is the official new name for the Smart Card Alliance, the long standing and highly regarded industry association founded to promote the adoption of smart card technology in the U.S. The group is expanding its mission and changing names, exchanging its somewhat limiting focus on smart cards for a broader view of […]

Why is polycarbonate, or PC, becoming the advanced card material of choice for many high security issuers and government ID programs? Likely because it blends unique features, multiple layer construction and laser engraving for personalization making it a durable and counterfeit-resistant choice for physical identification cards.

In a move that will add a host of biometric reader and software capabilities to its portfolio, Gemalto announced that it will acquire the Identity Management Business from 3M. The cornerstone of the transaction will be 3M’s Cogent biometric line came to 3M via the Cogent acquisition in 2010.

Note from Editor Zack Martin: After a dozen years of covering the identity space, I am switching roles and am going to try and help solve some of the problems that exist. I am making the move from an observer to a player on the field, ready to get my hands dirty attempting to solve some of our digital identity woes.

While the Defense Department ponders a futures without the Common Access Card — the ubiquitous smart card that has been used for more than a decade — other federal employees and industry representatives ponder what the future of identity might look like for federal employees.

HID Global announced that Honeywell Building Solutions has integrated HID technology into its Honeywell Vector Occupant App; FlexEnable will showcase a 500 dpi flexible fingerprint sensor in a smart card form factor at TRUSTECH; Salto created a new web site for the hospitality industry’s access control needs and requirements.