CardTechSecurTech, WASHINGTON and FREMONT, Calif., April 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/–SCM Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCMM, Prime Standard: SMY), a leading provider of solutions that open the Digital World, today introduced the Physical Access Control Terminal (PACT), the company’s first products for the physical access market. The announcement came at the 14th annual CardTechSecurTech exhibition, taking place April 26–29 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. SCM is showing prototypes of the new products in booth # 929.

The terminals support the latest technologies adopted by the physical access control market including contact and contactless smart cards, and it will position companies for fingerprint biometrics going forward. SCM will market the terminals to both government and corporate customers through its existing channel partners, the top-tier OEMs and systems integrators serving the physical access control, smart card and security sectors.

“Our customers have been asking for a new concept of versatile and cost effective physical access terminals, and we listened,” said Jason Schouw, vice president and general manager, Americas for SCM. “The key word is flexibility. Customers want to be able to combine new technologies like contactless smart cards and biometrics with existing control systems. At the same time, they want support for new connectivity options going forward. Finally, they want a range of configurations to match different requirements across their organizations as they evolve. That flexibility is precisely what we have delivered.”

Support for Industry Standards

SCM plans for several PACT models including contact, contactless and contact/contactless versions, each offered with an optional PIN pad. The PACT terminal designs are both highly secure and sleek, with both indoor and outdoor versions available. A visually striking bar-shaped green LED extends across the top of the reader to indicate access granted or denied. A buzzer provides acoustic feedback, and there are three separate LEDs used to indicate whether a requested operation requires contact or contactless card presentation, or a PIN entry. The terminal is 148 mm long, 84 mm wide and 46 mm high and fits into a single junction box.

The PACT family supports all current and emerging international standards for access control systems. Wiegand (DO/D1), magnetic stripe (CLK/Data) and RS-485 communications are available and TCP-IP support is planned. Security options include an internal SAM and 3DES for card authentication (DESFire) as well as relay inputs for security level control.

Support for U.S. Government Standards

The new product line reflects SCM’s deep involvement in standards supporting the U.S. federal government’s initiative to establish a single interoperable credential for physical access control. These standards are crucial because they ensure that agencies deploy equipment that meets both their specific needs and at the same time facilitates cross-agency interoperability.

The new PACT terminals support the Government Smart Card Interoperability Specification (GSC-IS) version 2.1 published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This is the primary specification for interoperable smart card technology for the U.S. government. PACT terminals also support or are consistent with guidelines from the Federal Identity Credentialing Committee (FICC), the Data Model Working Group under the Government Smart Card–Interagency Advisory Board (GSC-IAB) and the Physical Access Interagency Interoperability Working Group (PAIIWG) under the GSC-IAB.

PACT terminals support the latest drafts of the PAIIWG’s Physical Access Control System–Smart Card Technical Guidance, including the emerging guidelines for the Federal Identification Credential Number (FIC-N) and the Card Holder Unique Identifier (CHUID). The FIC-N is a unique number issued to one and only one individual, which is essential to credibility, non- repudiation and reciprocity of identities across the federal government. The CHUID, which includes the FIC-N, is defined to simplify interoperability for physical access control system applications. PACT terminals also support ISO 7816 Parts 1 to 4 for contact smart cards and ISO14443 Type A and B (13.56MHz) Parts 1 to 4 for contactless cards, with an operating distance of about one inch.

PACT Software

The software architecture is based on SCM’s industry endorsed SmartOS™ middleware. The company provides a full Software Development Kit that enables integrators to develop their own applications and differentiate themselves. Upon request, SCM can also develop custom applications. The SDK together with the onboard flash are designed to provide a secure firmware upgrade in the field, and a seamless reconfiguration of the terminal to prevent obsolescence.

The SDK consists of a development board and software package with its associated documentation. SCM also provides an example of an application for reading the SEIWG string out of contact and contactless smart cards. The SEIWG string is part of the Department of Defense Common Access Card and is included in the emerging U.S. government standards for smart access cards and ID credentials.

To date SCM has shipped several million smart card readers worldwide to major enterprises, financial institutions and government agencies, including more than 1.5 million units through systems integration partners for the U.S. Department of Defense Common Access Card program. The company holds more than 80 relevant patents.

About SCM Microsystems

SCM Microsystems is a leading supplier of solutions that open the Digital World by enabling people to conveniently access digital content and services. The company markets and sells its smart card reader technology for network and physical access and conditional access modules for secure digital TV decryption to OEM customers in the government, financial, enterprise and broadcasting markets worldwide. Global headquarters are in Fremont, California, with European headquarters in Ismaning, Germany. For additional information, visit the SCM Microsystems web site at http://www.scmmicro.com.