SCM Microsystems Offers First Certified Smart Card Reader for the New Electronic ID Card in Germany

SANTA ANA, Calif. and ISMANING, Germany, May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SCM Microsystems, Inc., a leading provider of solutions for secure access, secure identity and secure exchange, announced today that its contactless smart card reader SCL011 is the first reader to be certified by the Federal Office for Information Security (Bundesamt fur Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik, or "BSI") to be used with the new electronic ID card (neuer Personalausweis, or "nPA") in Germany.

Beginning November 1, 2010, the nPA – a contactless smart card – will replace the statutory plastic identification card currently held by German citizens. The new electronic ID provides security for online transactions and offers many new functions and capabilities, all in a convenient credit card format.

Many activities of daily life and business, such as opening a banking account or purchasing products, are now performed over the Internet. However, so far there is no standardized proof of identity in the online world; and different passwords, codes or access cards are needed to handle different applications. For German citizens, the nPa electronic ID card bridges this gap: proving your identity in the online world is now as fast, easy and secure as presenting the nPa card. Securely purchasing goods via the Internet, downloading music, confirming your age or place of birth, filing an insurance claim, or communicating with local or federal authorities and administrations are easily accomplished, saving time and money for all concerned. To perform or access services online, the nPA requires a specialized smart card reader that is easily attached to an individual's PC.

The contactless reader SCL011 from SCM Microsystems is the first such reader to be certified for the nPa card. It connects to PCs via USB, and acts as a link between the electronic ID card and the PC. The reader supports Windows® XP, Vista®, Windows®7, MacOS X and Linux for Ubuntu, OpenSuse and Debian OS. SCM's proprietary SCT3 controller chip with SmartOS® allows secure firmware updates to the reader to support new card requirements or functionality enhancements.

Following its certification, the SCL011 can now be employed in user tests organized by Germany's Federal Ministry of the Interior, which allow government authorities, companies and other institutions to acquaint themselves with and analyze the performance of the nPa electronic ID card system.

The SCL011 reader is immediately available, and can be purchased at http://de.fujitsu.com/basisleser.

About SCM Microsystems, Inc.

SCM Microsystems is a leading provider of solutions for secure access, secure identity and secure exchange. The company offers the world's broadest range of contact, contactless and mobile smart card reader and terminal technology, digital identity and transaction platforms, as well as systems that integrate physical and logical access control. SCM's smart card-based products and solutions are utilized around the world to enable security and identification applications, transaction systems, eHealth and eGovernment programs and physical access systems. SCM Microsystems is part of Identive Group (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.scmmicro.com and www.identive-group.com.

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SOURCE SCM Microsystems, Inc.