PRESS RELEASE

OMNIKEY, SCM Microsystems and Kobil Define New Standard for PIN Pad Smart Card Readers
Industry Leaders Standardized Implementation of Secure PIN-entry for Smart Card ApplicationsWalluf, (October 28, 2004)

OMNIKEY , SCM Microsystems and Kobil Systems have agreed on a joint standard for developing smart card readers with integrated PIN pads (class 2 readers). The creation of a common specification for smart card readers with integrated PIN pads paves the way for increased development of smart card applications requiring high security and for the use of PIN-enabled smart card readers.
The use of a smart card in conjunction with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) significantly increases the security of transactions made using the card. Entering the PIN for the card on a keypad that is independent of the host computer prevents illicit copying of passwords from the computer keyboard.
At the end of the 1990s, technical specifications for smart card readers and terminals were adopted under the internationally accepted PC/SC standards. However, at that time smart card readers with integrated keypads were not included. Therefore, reader manufacturers worldwide have had to develop their own proprietary PIN pad reader software and driver solutions in order to provide them to the developers of smart card applications. With smart card usage now expanding rapidly around the world, it is critical that smart card application developers have access to a common, accepted class 2 reader platform.
In order to increase acceptance and demand for secure class 2 readers, OMNIKEY, SCM and Kobil have agreed on a joint standard for the implementation of secure PIN entry, working under the umbrella of TeleTrusT, which seeks to promote the trustworthiness of information and communication technology. Application developers, end users and the reader manufacturers themselves will now benefit from the compatibility and interoperability of PIN-enabled smart card readers.
Prof. Dr. Helmut Reimer, Managing Director of TeleTrusT e.V., is very sympathetic to this initiative. He stated, “TeleTrusT appreciates the agreement on a standard for trustworthy smart card applications by the most important international suppliers of smart card readers. This is an important signal to the market.”
Class 2 PIN pad readers were developed for applications where the content of the smart card is protected by a PIN to prevent unauthorized copying or use of the information stored on the card. PIN pad smart card readers are particularly suited for digital signature and HBCI (Home banking computing interface) applications for both end users and enterprises.

Germany’s national provider of social security services chooses
OMNIKEY CardMan® 3121 USB smart card readers to secure access to critical dataWalluf (October 28, 2004)

OMNIKEY, the world leading manufacturer of innovative smart card readers, announces that its CardMan® 3121 USB smart card readers have been chosen by ACG Identification, a leading component and technology supplier in the smart card and RFID markets, for its recently confirmed contract with Bundesversicherungsanstalt für Angestellte (BfA), Germany’s national provider of social security services.
ACG has delivered 30.000 OMNIKEY CardMan® 3121 USB smart card readers to BfA subsidiaries throughout Germany. BfA will use the OMNIKEY CardMan® 3121 readers along with hybrid cards for PC access control and electronic signature applications.
Markus Windisch, Sales Manager at OMNIKEY, comments: “ Winning this tender underlines the outstanding technical performance of the OMNIKEY smart card readers. ACG has successfully added its know-how as leading identification technology provider with a high logistic level to form a reliable partnership for the BfA deal.“
Based on revolutionary chip technology, jointly developed with Atmel, the OMNIKEY 3121 smart card reader supports reader-to-card data transmission rates of up to 420Kbits per second, exceeding the performance of other smart card readers.
The CardMan® 3121 (USB) works with virtually all contact smart cards, is easy to install, and offers flexible mounting options. A specially designed housing gives users the freedom to place the reader horizontally or vertically; an attachment pad enables mounting to the PC monitor. A company logo or a colorized snap-on cover are an option for a customized look.

Consistent with OMNIKEY’s tradition of offering robust, technically superior firmware and driver support, the CardMan® 3121 guarantees the highest level of interoperability available on the market.

OMNIKEY Announces New High-speed PIN Pad Smart Card ReaderCardMan® 3621 USB PIN Pad with integrated keypad Walluf
(Oct 27, 2004)

OMNIKEY, the world leading manufacturer of innovative smart card readers, is now shipping its new CardMan® 3621 USB smart card reader. The CardMan® 3621 USB PIN pad reader replaces OMNIKEY’s CardMan® 3620 and offers users next generation security for their information stored on the card.
Based on OMNIKEY’s newest chip set design, already utilized in the CardMan® 3121 and CardMan® 4040 smart card readers, the new 3621 offers the highest reader-to-card transmission rate currently available on the market.
This class 2 reader features a 16-key integrated keypad for Secure PIN Entry (SPE) and PIN change operations making it the preferred choice for all applications that require high security by the use of a Personal Identification Number (PIN). Therefore the CardMan® 3621 is especially suited for digital signature, banking and payment applications.
Consistent with OMNIKEY’s tradition of offering robust, technically superior firmware and driver support, the CardMan 3621 guarantees the highest level of interoperability available on the market.
The new smart card reader is designed to meet all major standards like ISO 7816, HBCI (Home Banking Computer Interface), EMV 2000 (Europay, MasterCard, Visa) Level 1, Microsoft WHQL, USB, PC/SC, the PC-2001 specification and many more. Usage within an application is based on standardized interfaces such as PC/SC, OCF (Open Card Framework) or CT-API.
The CardMan® 3621 smart card reader is commercially available immediately.

CardMan® 5121 Contactless / Contact Smart Card Reader
OMNIKEY Announces Affordable PC-Linked 13.56 MHz RFID Smart Card ReaderWalluf, Germany and Irvine, CA (August 23, 2004)

OMNIKEY, the world leading manufacturer of innovative smart card readers, has developed a practical and affordable dual interface smart card reader. The CardMan® 5121 combines the advantages of contact and contactless smart card technology in a single USB desktop device.
The CardMan® 5121 is based on a 13.56 MHz contactless smart card RFID interface that is compliant with ISO specifications 14443 A and B and 15693. The reader works with a variety of 13.56 MHz contactless smart cards including Philips (MIFARE®, DESFire®, MIFARE ProX®), Texas Instruments (TagIt®), HID (iCLASS®), ST Micro, Infineon, Atmel, and many more.
The CardMan® 5121 allows end-users to experience the convenience, speed, and security of contactless technology for applications including log-on to Windows, networks, websites, and applications or the secure storage of user names, passwords, and personal information. This reader provides the ideal solution for end-users who currently use a contactless smart card for building access, as a corporate or student ID, or for transit or cashless vending applications.
The dual interface feature of the CardMan® 5121 economically supports end-user environments where both contactless and contact smart card technology may be in use. By emulating standard protocols, the reader allows transparent use of contactless microprocessor smart cards within the PC/SC framework.
Consistent with OMNIKEY’s tradition of offering robust, technically superior firmware and driver support, the CardMan® 5121 guarantees the highest level of interoperability available on the market. By sharing the same state-of-the-art technology features of the CardMan® 3121 - OMNIKEY’s contact smart card reader with USB interface - compliance with major standards such as ISO 7816, PC/SC, Microsoft® WHQL, and EMV 2000 Level 1 specifications is guaranteed.
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