Thales, a global provider of cryptographic security products and services and ID management solutions, announced today that it has joined the Leadership Council of the Smart Card Alliance.

The Smart Card Alliance is the world's largest smart card industry association which strongly advocates the use of smart card technology in a way that protects privacy and enhances data security and integrity. Its membership includes leading companies in the banking, financial services, computer, telecommunications, technology, healthcare, retail, and entertainment industries. Thales has been a member of the Smart Card Alliance since September 2002 and through the Leadership Council now takes a larger role in the shaping of alliance policy and activities, which accelerate the adoption of smart cards throughout the world.

As this industry grows, the leadership provided by Smart Card Alliance members and the educational tools they develop, is highly influential in proper adoption of smart card technology for critical needs. “We are pleased to commit broader support of the Smart Card Alliance through the Leadership Council and elected roles on its councils,” said Cynthia Provin, President of e-Security activities of Thales in the Americas .

Thales is increasing its presence in the United States with its SafeSign product line, providing flexible, Federated ID services for FIPS 201 compliant solutions, Real ID and airport access control and credentialing to these markets. The Smart Card Alliance’s councils on Identity, Physical Access Control Systems, Transportation and Contactless payments provides thought leadership and solid educational materials enabling the use of smart card technology in solutions that are secure, sensitive to privacy concerns, scalable and reliable.

About Thales
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group serving defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide, supported by a comprehensive services offering. Thales offers a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy critical information systems. Thales employs 70,000 people in 50 countries and generated revenues of € 10.3 billion in 2006.

The new Security Solutions & Services Division, operational since 5 January 2007, combines the businesses of Thales’s former Security and Services divisions with those of Alcatel-Lucent’s Transport Systems Division and Integration & Services Division. The new division makes Thales a world market leader in transport and security markets. Our security solutions and services activities around the world now generate revenues of about 3.2 billion euros, with a 20,000 employees in 35 countries.

Thales is a world leader in the provision of cryptographic security products and solutions for all critical infrastructures including governments, the military, satellite networks, enterprises and the finance industry. Thales has 40 years of unrivalled track record in protecting networks up to TOP SECRET and a complete portfolio of products which includes network encryption, access control and remote user solutions. In the financial world, Thales secures value bearing transactions, data preparation for card and PIN issuing, and provides advanced user and message authentication solutions supported by secure identity management and token issuing. Over half of the world’s banks, together with the majority of the busiest exchanges, currently use Thales technology and services.

About the Smart Card Alliance

The Smart Card Alliance is a not-for-profit, multi-industry association working to stimulate the understanding, adoption, use and widespread application of smart card technology.

Press Contacts
Thales, Security Solutions & Services
Sarah Milligan
Tel. +44 1 844 204 181
sarah.milligan@thales-esecurity.com