by Sara Pralle, Contributing Editor, AVISIAN Publications

Increased airport security since 9/11 has led to a frustrating flying experience for many travelers. While few deny the need for safeguards, frequent flyers desperately want a means to avoid the lines and the hassle these security measures have created. Enter the Registered Traveler program, initiated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), but now operated by the private sector. From the initial launch in Orlando, a handful of other airports have signed on and creative ways to expand the issuance opportunities are coming to fruition. 

Automated fare collections system provider Cubic, which maintains London’s Oyster card, has installed 491 unattended terminal payment devices in the United Kingdom, allowing Transport For London customers to use debit or credit cards to purchase transit tickets. 

by Marisa Torrieri, Contributing Editor, AVISIAN Publications

At least this year, many U.S. consumers aren’t ready for one-time-password (OTP) generators or smart cards. So like the medicine maker that tricks kids into getting better by concocting fruit-flavored, cartoon character remedies, a number of digital security vendors are tucking authentication into the devices Americans know and love – Blackberries and mobile phones. 

The Belgian government has chosen a smart card reader from Advanced Card Systems for use in its national electronic identity card system. Designed initially for children 12 and up because of the system’s “Safer Chat,” users can obtain free readers by logging on to a specific web site. 

A Unisys subsidiary, Unisys MSC has been awarded a $5 million contract as part of a national roll-out of Malaysia’s MyKad smart card. The MyKad, which uses the latest chip and biometric technology, will be offered to more than 24 million Malaysians, who will utilize the single card to conduct government and private sector transactions. 

Sagem Défense Sécurité, a European defense and security electronics company, has been chosen to supply the 13.1 million residents of the State of Bahia in Brazil a single ID card that will include digital fingerprints. The company already has biometric ID systems running in 55 other countries. 

SKIDATA, which specializes in access and ticketing systems designed to control access of people and vehicles to sites and events, and smart card manufacturer LEGIC Identsystems, have joined forces to create a contactless card that combines access capabilities with payment and door-locking functions.