GLOBALPLATFORM IMPLEMENTS OPEN PLATFORM SMART CARD FOR MEMBER AUTHENTICATION

Las Vegas, 16 May 2001 -- GlobalPlatform has implemented a multiple application smart card and smart card application management system (SCMS) that enables secure access to its sophisticated website used for internal Member business. This leading edge project is the world's first Open Platform solution to enable dynamic personalization of the card over the Internet using the Open Platform Card Specification v2.0.1 and SCMS Open Platform Functional Requirements v3.3. The implementation was accomplished in only four months and seamlessly integrates the card, device and systems components into a complete solution.

Cardholder authentication is the first application GlobalPlatform has launched and further applications, planned to facilitate future organizational activities, will be added post issuance.

Chosen to partner on this project are GlobalPlatform Member organizations Datacard Group and Oberthur Card Systems. Datacard is providing its AffinaTM Platform Management Architecture as the back-office Open Platform software system for multiple-application smart card life cycle management. It also provides support services, housed and managed from the company’s Minnesota-based offices, relieving GlobalPlatform from operational and maintenance responsibilities and offering GlobalPlatform cardholders full customer service support. Oberthur is providing the cardholder solution in the form of a "Web Pack" that includes a multiple application Open Platform smart card (AuthentIC for Java®), USB card reader, instruction manual, and client software. All GlobalPlatform website development was completed by MediaBits.

GlobalPlatform is the official "Issuer" of the card, and its project team began work with Datacard and Oberthur in early January 2001. The parties mapped a detailed project plan to integrate various components of the solution. Most notably, the card and the SCMS, independently developed but each using Open Platform specifications, were synchronized to enable distribution of generic cards that are personalized via the Internet.

Representatives from GlobalPlatform’s fifty Member organizations are given a GlobalPlatform Web Pack containing the components developed by Oberthur and Datacard. Following installation of the software and reader, Members log on to the website and are instructed to remotely personalize their card in an online session. This online session culminates with the SCMS delivering an asymmetric key pair to the Open Platform card that is then authenticated in each subsequent logon.

Future post-issuance applications may include:

• a Member ‘loyalty’ or ‘usage’ program to enable users to download “gift tokens” onto their card. This program will encourage frequent usage of the website and improved Member communications;

• an automated attendance and entrance program for GlobalPlatform All Member meetings. This program will facilitate onsite Member access to meetings and enable a name badge to be automatically printed;

• a "voting" or "electronic ballot" program to allow Member organizations to designate a voting representative. This will further enhance electronic voting for leadership positions, policy directives, and new specifications - all executed on the Member website.

GlobalPlatform will manage and control all applications loaded or deleted from the card through the combined functionality of the Open Platform Card Manager and the SCMS.

Steve Brown, Chair of the GlobalPlatform Board of Directors and Head of Business Development (Utility Applications) at BT Ignite says: "We are very excited to launch this groundbreaking program with our Members and project partners Datacard Group and Oberthur Card Systems. This project is a critical milestone for the GlobalPlatform Board because it integrates the multiple technical components that the organization has been diligently developing. Additionally, it showcases robust Open Platform products, like Affina from Datacard and AuthentIC for Java® by Oberthur, which are available today to smart card Issuing organizations."

Martin Kearsley, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Datacard’s software and solutions division says, “Effective management of applications in a post-issuance environment is vital to any organization planning to issue multiple-application smart cards. We are delighted that GlobalPlatform, one of the world’s leading smart card organizations, selected Datacard’s Affina Platform Management Architecture. This helps confirm our view that Affina is the most robust and versatile card life cycle management product available today.”

Marc Bertin, Head of e-Business at Oberthur Card Systems, says, “Having been the first to introduce Java™ into a smart card, we at Oberthur have extensive experience of developing secure solutions using Open Platform technology. The AuthentIC Web Pack draws on this experience to provide an off-the-shelf solution for secure e-business provision. On selecting us, we are thrilled that Global Platform is now delivering our capability into the hands of its 50 members across the globe.”

Demonstrations of the GlobalPlatform smart card and SCMS are being conducted at CardTech / SecurTech 2001 in Las Vegas. Interested parties can visit Datacard in booth #216 and Oberthur in booth #803.

-ENDS-

For more media information, please contact Laura White or James Hedges
at Sinclair Mason:
Tel: +44 20 7470 8737 or Fax: +44 20 7470 8738
E-mail: lauraw@sinclairmason.com or jamesh@sinclairmason.com

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About GlobalPlatform

GlobalPlatform is the only cross-industry forum focused on the development, management and promotion of specifications for multiple application smart cards, smart card applications, and enabling devices. With support from its global member organizations, GlobalPlatform promotes a standard framework facilitating the implementation of smart card programs in any industry around the world. GlobalPlatform allows flexibility in the choice of technologies and vendors through an emphasis on open standards for cards, terminals and support infrastructure.

The Open Platform card and terminal specifications are the first open standards adopted by GlobalPlatform and will provide a solid foundation from which the organization will define the future of multiple application smart cards. For further information on GlobalPlatform, please visit www.globalplatform.org

About Datacard Group

Datacard Group is a world leader in innovative plastic card personalization and identity management solutions. The company provides its customers with integrated systems for a variety of financial, identification and healthcare applications. A diverse solutions portfolio features a broad range of card-related products and services, including the world’s best-selling card personalization and printing systems. Datacard Group also offers smart card life cycle management software, smart card personalization systems, smart card personalization applications, smart card operating systems and a variety of products and consultative services designed to enhance card-issuing operations. Datacard Corporation, doing business as Datacard Group, is privately held and based in Minnetonka, Minn. The company serves customers in more than 200 countries worldwide. www.datacard.com

About Oberthur Card Systems

Oberthur Card Systems (Paris Stock Exchange – Code SICOVAM 12413), a global leader and the innovator in the smart card industry, is shaping the future through offering the ultimate in SIM, WAP, 3G (IMT-2000/UMTS), e-wallet technologies & Internet-based card management services coupled with a firm commitment to open standards.

Championing EMV migration, Oberthur is the World N0 1 supplier of MasterCard and Visa cards, N0 1 in banking, e-commerce, m-commerce and pay-TV, Oberthur is also the N0 1 in Java™ and GSM technologies.

Oberthur Card Systems has an international reach ensured by 30 sales offices and 20 production sites across the five continents. Oberthur Card Systems had sales of 451.1 million Euros in 2000.
https://www.oberthurcs.com

About Media Bits

Media Bits is a provider of web development and design services to cross-industry businesses. Established in 1995 and based in California, the company specializes in custom-designed web presence, database architecture, and Internet collaboration tools. Meeting the diverse requirements of today’s global business environment, Media Bits’ collaboration and management tools provide the means for organizations and companies to convene international associates within a virtual web-based office location. For further information, please visit www.mediabits.com.