Identity can be asserted in many different ways. But the most common way an individual asserts an identity is by handing an ID card over for visual inspection. But making sure it’s not counterfeit is difficult and playing an important role in anti-counterfeiting efforts are the materials that make up the document.

The Security Industry Association Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) will be a key piece of the SIA InteropFest at ISC West 2015. The access control specification has a history as an access control specification, offering interoperability and new functionality.

Fast, cheap or good. The old adage says you typically can’t have all three. The same has been true when choosing a card printing technology, but things are changing. The direct-to-card method had filled the “fast and cheap” niche but new retransfer card printers are filling an important niche in the form of superior image quality and affordability.

Quantum Secure acquired by HID Global; FIS adding the ability to access account information and withdrawal cash at ATMs with Apple’s Touch ID; 7Layers and FIME partner for testing and certification in the NFC-enabled handset market.

Payfriendz, a P2P payments app, is using Veridu to confirm the identity of users. Instead of traditional identity vetting a P2P payments side is using social media score to establish an identity.

Cryptomathic is calling for new European Union standards to recognize cloud-based digital signature schemes; TSA’s PreCheck passes 1 million enrollees; HID Global announced the commercial availability of HID Trusted Tag Solutions; and Bell ID announced that recent growth of host card emulation has seen the company strengthen its global position in the mobile payments market.

Stories from the spring issue include: the evolution of AFIS; for better cards, consider better materials; step-up authentication; and electronic IDs in Europe.