Gemalto is providing Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration with a full issuance and personalization solution to support the implementation of polycarbonate technology; DERMALOG unveiled the VF1 device that captures passports or ID cards in color; Smartrac announced the launch of new PRELAMs based on NXP’s MIFARE Plus SE chip; the Las Americas Golden Tower is set to offer guests advanced property security with electronic door lock and safe innovations by ASSA ABLOY Hospitality.

The 2015 SESAMES Awards were announced at the CARTES Secure Connexions conference. Oberthur Technologies took home three awards — connected objects, mobile security and transportation — while Infineon Technologies won two awards, best IT security and the Golden SESAMES.

Gemalto has deployed its Coesys eGov Authentication Server in Singapore to provide two-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption of passwords to SingPass logins; Oberthur Technologies announced that its Lasink solution has been selected by Costa Rica for a multi-year contract to provide national ID cards; Evolis is extending its range of printers designed for self-service card printing with the launch of four new models.

The Smart Card Alliance announced its new board and seven-member executive committee to lead and provide guidance to the organization; MorphoTrust has won a contract with the Department of Defense to provide identity verification solutions; Gallagher released its latest products and updates to the security market, including a mobile reader.

There is more than one way to produce a secure identity card. But the choice of card materials impacts both the personalization technology and issuance model. Thus it is crucial that an issuer understand the capabilities of the card materials when evaluating personalization technologies and issuance models. In a very real sense, the three decisions go hand in hand forming the three pillars of secure ID issuance.

Lollapalooza is no small affair with more than 160,000 fans and hosts some of the biggest names in music. Ticketing and payments have also gone high-tech. Attendees don NFC wristbands that eliminate the need to carry cash, tickets or payment cards, simplifying purchasing and securing the festival for attendees and vendors alike.

Today we are in password hell. Mainstream media have regular stories about user issues, and massive data breaches are regularly happening to online services – even to large, respected brands that are well-funded and well-managed. The evidence is clear that both users and online services are struggling with passwords.

VASCO Data Security announced two new DIGIPASS authenticators; DriveNow has done away with key and instead is using contactless smart cards; MorphoTrak opened its first West Virginia facility in Morgantown and plans to establish a Program Management and Engineering office at the new facility.