The Alliance was created when the industrys key organizations, the Smart Card Industry Association and the Smart Card Forum, merged in early 2001. The combined membership brings together leading users and technologists from both the public and private sectors. Known as the single industry voice for smart cards, membership includes leading companies in the banking, financial services, computer, telecommunications, technology, healthcare, retail, and entertainment industries, as well as a number of government agencies. The first smart card was invented in the 1970s and since its inception, smart cards have evolved to play a vital role in network security, secure identification and financial payment systems. Frost and Sullivan estimates that the smart card market will grow at a 41 percent compound annual rate over the next three years in North America, from 32 million cards issued in 2000 to 125 million cards issued in 2004.
Every day we send out a free e-mail with the most important headlines of the last 24 hours.
Subscribe now