SCM Microsystems, OMNIKEY and Kobil Define New Standard for PINPad Smart Card Readers
October 28 2004 - 3:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
SCM Microsystems, OMNIKEY and Kobil Define New Standard for PINPad
Smart Card Readers Industry Leaders Standardize Implementation of
Secure PIN-Entry for Smart Card Applications FREMONT, Calif., Oct.
28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SCM Microsystems (Nasdaq: SCMM; Prime
Standard: SMY), OMNIKEY and Kobil Systems have agreed on a joint
standard for developing smart card readers with integrated PINpads
(Class 2 readers). The creation of a common specification for smart
card readers with integrated PINpads paves the way for increased
development of smart card applications requiring high security and
for the use of PIN-enabled smart card readers. The use of a smart
card in conjunction with a Personal Identification Number (PIN)
significantly increases the security of transactions made using the
card. Entering the PIN for the card on a keypad that is independent
of the host computer prevents illicit copying of passwords from the
computer keyboard. At the end of the 1990s, technical
specifications for smart card readers and terminals were adopted
under the internationally accepted PC/SC standards. However, at
that time smart card readers with integrated keypads were not
included. Therefore, reader manufacturers worldwide have had to
develop their own proprietary PINpad reader software and driver
solutions in order to provide them to the developers of smart card
applications. With smart card usage now expanding rapidly around
the world, it is critical that smart card application developers
have access to a common, accepted Class 2 reader platform. In order
to increase acceptance and demand for secure Class 2 readers, SCM,
OMNIKEY and Kobil have agreed on a joint standard for the
implementation of secure PIN entry, working under the umbrella of
TeleTrusT, which seeks to promote the trustworthiness of
information and communication technology. Application developers,
end users and the reader manufacturers themselves will now benefit
from the compatibility and interoperability of PIN-enabled smart
card readers. Prof. Dr. Helmut Reimer, Managing Director of
TeleTrusT e.V., is very sympathetic to this initiative. He stated,
"TeleTrusT appreciates the agreement on a standard for trustworthy
smart card applications by the most important international
suppliers of smart card readers. This is an important signal to the
market." Class 2 PINpad readers were developed for applications
where the content of the smart card is protected by a PIN to
prevent unauthorized copying or use of the information stored on
the card. PINpad smart card readers are particularly suited for
digital signature and HBCI (Home banking computing interface)
applications for both end users and enterprises. About TeleTrusT
e.V. TeleTrusT Deutschland e.V. was founded in 1989 to promote the
security of information and communication technology in an open
systems environment. The non-profit organization was constituted
with the aim of: achieving acceptance of the digital signature as
an instrument conferring legal validity on electronic transactions;
supporting research into methods of safeguarding electronic data
interchange (EDI), application of its results, and development of
standards in this field; and collaborating with institutes and
organizations in other countries with the aim of coordinating
objectives and standards within the European Union. TeleTrusT
supports the incorporation of authenticity standards in planned or
existing IT applications in public organizations and associations.
Special attention is being paid to security services and their
management as a means for secure IT in medicine and public health
administration, electronic communications in legal matters, and
tele-cooperation via EDI. About SCM Microsystems SCM Microsystems
is a leading supplier of solutions that open the Digital World by
enabling people to securely access digital content and services.
The company develops, markets and sells its smart card reader
technology for network and physical access and conditional access
modules for secure digital TV decryption to OEM customers in the
government, financial, enterprise and broadcasting markets
worldwide. Global headquarters are in Fremont, California, with
European headquarters in Ismaning, Germany. For additional
information, visit the SCM Microsystems web site at
http://www.scmmicro.com/. About OMNIKEY OMNIKEY, the world leading
manufacturer of innovative smart card readers, offers the most
diversified product portfolio available on the market today. Having
established a tight collaboration with key decision makers in the
card manufacturing and software industries, OMNIKEY sits at the
table of innovation. OMNIKEY's smart card readers for PCs can be
utilized by any application including logical access control,
digital signature, GSM authentication, secure banking and online
transactions, loyalty programs, and healthcare solutions. OMNIKEY,
headquartered in Walluf, Germany, is part of the ASSA ABLOY
Identification Technology Group (ITG). OMNIKEY�s US headquarters
resides in Irvine, California with technical support in Atlanta,
Georgia. Design, production management, and quality control of
OMNIKEY's products are carried out in the company's two R&D
centers in Linz, Austria and Erfurt, Germany. OMNIKEY readers are
distributed worldwide through a global network of partners,
including value added resellers, system integrators, and OEMs.
About Kobil Systems Kobil Systems GmbH, based in Worms/Germany, was
founded in 1986 and has specialized in the development and
marketing of Smart Card based IT security solutions and
multifunctional Smart Card terminals. The company`s solutions
guarantee secure digital communication and transaction over network
infrastructures through authentication, data security and legal
bindingness. Kobil mIDentity is a platform for mobile and secure
company solutions integrating mobile office, mobile identity and
mobile data safe compactly into one device. The one-time password
system Kobil SecOVID offers secure access protection for network
resources from VPN to terminal server environments through two
factor authentication. Class 1 to 4 Kobil Smart Card terminals
guarantee a secure execution of e-business applications. Companies
like Deutsche Telekom, Hypo Vereinsbank, Badenia Bausparkasse and
also well-known European banks, insurances and automobile industry
companies as well as public administration and health care agencies
rely on Kobil products. NOTE: All company and/or product names are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
manufacturers. DATASOURCE: SCM Microsystems CONTACT: Dr. Manfred
Muller of SCM Microsystems, + 49 89 9595 5140, or ; or Antje
Schaefer of OMNIKEY, +49 6123 7913 15, or ; or Carsten Wallmann of
Kobil Systems, +49 6241 300431, or Web site:
http://www.scmmicro.com/
Copyright