Multicard to Supply Secure IT Kits Under German Federal Government's Electronic ID Program

VILLINGEN-SCHWENNINGEN, Germany, June 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Multicard GmbH, a business unit of Identive Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: INVE, FSE: INV) and an identity management systems integrator and solutions provider, announced today that its proposal for the design and supply of 317,050 Secure IT kits has been selected under the new electronic identification program managed by Germany's Federal Ministry of the Interior ("Bundesministerium des Innern").

Multicard developed the concept for the Secure IT Kits, and as the primary contractor / integrator shall be responsible for the coordination and planning of the issuance of the IT kits to users. In the future, Multicard is also planning new applications and solutions utilizing the new electronic ID card ("neuer Personalausweis" or nPA), including programs for passengers of the Rhine-Ruhr transport association, customers of the public services of Muenster, and citizens of the City of Muenster.

The distribution of the security kits to citizens will take place from November 2010 through December 2011.

Under Germany's new eID program, citizens will be issued electronic ID cards that can be used for a variety of transactions and applications, from proving their identities online to purchasing goods securely via the Internet, downloading music, confirming age or place of birth, filing insurance claims, and communicating with local or federal authorities and administrations.

By making the Secure IT Kits available without charge to its citizens, the German Federal Government aims to encourage the use of the electronic ID cards. It is also expected that a wide user-base of cards will promote the development of new applications and methods to standardize the use of the eID cards in eGovernment, eBusiness and online legal transactions.

Multicard – together with its partners and its Identive Group sister company, RFID / contactless smart card reader supplier SCM Microsystems – developed innovative concepts combining card readers with customized applications for the new nPA cards.

The German IT Security Kits

The IT Security Kits for German citizens include a secure contactless smart card reader, software to enable eGovernment applications, informational material and additional components individually compiled by each officially named supplier.

About Multicard

Multicard AG is a worldwide supplier of card solutions for secure identification programs with in-house capabilities for credential issuance, personalization and fulfillment services for the consumer, government and corporate customers. Multicard offers ID systems management and engineering services as well as full implementation and program management. Multicard is also a provider of enrollment and accreditation solutions using data capture equipment for enrollment of ePassport and other government ID and corporate ID applications.

Multicard is a business unit of Identive Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: INVE; Frankfurt Stock Exchange: INV), a leading provider of products, services and solutions for the security, identification and RFID industries. For additional information, visit www.multicard.com and www.identive-group.com.

SOURCE Identive Group