Datacard Introduces Secure Implementation of Java Card

Business Wire, May 14, 2001

Business Editors & Technology Writers

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 14, 2001

New smart card operating system allows card issuers to

differentiate products, control procurement costs and minimize risk

Datacard Group introduced a highly secure implementation of Java Card(TM) today at the CardTech/SecurTech Annual Conference in Las Vegas. The new Datacard(R) Aptura(TM) smart card operating system is delivered pre-installed on a chip, ready to insert into card plastic. The software is designed to work on various smart card chips, but initially it will be available on the Hitachi(R)AE45C silicon platform.

"The Aptura system is an important breakthrough for smart card issuers for several reasons," said Martin Kearsley, senior vice president and managing director of Datacard's software and solutions division. "First, it offers a flexible framework, which will enable card issuers to quickly and cost-effectively add or update applets after cards have been issued. This will allow our customers to create new smart card products with strong differentiation and bring them to market very quickly.

"Secondly, the Aptura system provides card issuers with tremendous risk control. They can securely upgrade low-level software using a post-issuance life cycle management system, such as the new Datacard Affina platform management architecture," Kearsley said. "If they discover a potential security risk or operating issue, they can download new software or upgrade existing software without recalling or re-issuing cards. This will help minimize service interruptions and improve cardholder satisfaction."

The Aptura system will also give card issuers more control over procurement processes. Instead of buying a standard smart card offering, they can procure chips, plastic and card personalization independently. This will give card issuers a stronger position in the price and schedule negotiations and it will help minimize supply risks.

"Clearly, the Aptura system represents a major step forward for card issuers," Kearsley added. "The system brings simplicity, cost and risk management controls to multi-application smart card programs. It also allows card issuers to differentiate their products, protect their brands and safeguard the interests of their cardholders.

In addition to these marketing and operational benefits, the Aptura system also offers excellent security and broad compatibility, Kearsley said. "It supports worldwide interoperability initiatives, it adheres to global standards and it is designed to meet EAL4, the industry-accepted security standard for multi-application smart cards that are used for financial transactions."

Datacard selected the Hitachi AE45C silicon platform following extensive analysis of a number of leading chips. " Hitachi is the ideal choice to support a sophisticated multi-application operating system such as the Aptura system," Kearsley said. "It offers the performance, value and reliability we were searching for."

"The Hitachi AE45C smart card microcontroller provides a powerful and secure platform to support the Aptura system," said Ian Hay, head of smart card business, Hitachi Europe Limited. "We are delighted that Datacard has chosen our chip to support this innovative product."

Datacard Group provides financial institutions, corporations, consumer marketers, governments, schools, healthcare providers, service bureaus and other enterprises with the software, systems and professional services they need to build successful card programs. The company's solutions portfolio includes the world's best-selling smart card software and card issuance systems, as well as a complete line of digital identity systems. Consultative services include a smart card chip security laboratory that works with the world's leading smart card issuers. DataCard Corporation, doing business as Datacard Group, is privately held and based in Minnetonka, Minn. Datacard Group serves customers in more than 200 countries. (www.datacard.com)

About Hitachi

Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading global electronics companies, with fiscal 2000 (ended March 31, 2001) consolidated sales of 8,416 billion yen ($67.9 billion(a)) The company manufactures and markets a wide range of products, including computers, semiconductors, consumer products and power and industrial equipment. For more information on Hitachi, Ltd., please visit Hitachi's Web site at http://global.hitachi.com

The Electronic Components Group (ECG) of Hitachi Europe Ltd., has operations throughout Europe, providing sales, marketing, technical support, and research and development for key components in the fields of smart cards, communications, automotive, displays and system LSI. Products include the SuperH(TM) RISC microprocessors, the H8 microcontroller family, smart card controllers, TFT displays, memories (Flash, SRAM), transistors and diodes, and network products. For more information, please visit the Web site of Hitachi Europe's Electronic Components Group at http://www.hitachi-eu.com/semiconductors/