PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 03/05/07 -- Smart cards are becoming commonplace around the world, used in financial, healthcare, identity, security, transportation and telecommunications applications. As such, it's important for individuals who provide products and services or who may become users of smart cards in these industries to be grounded in the basic fundamentals of this emerging and evolving technology.

To provide this foundation, the Smart Card Alliance has introduced a new online course, Fundamentals of Smart Card Technology, available at http://www.smartcardtraining.com. The course has evolved from years of classroom instruction developed by leading industry experts for the Educational Institute operated by the Alliance. It provides a thorough overview of the basic components of smart card technology and the many security and payments applications for which smart cards are used throughout the global marketplace.

"We brought this course online based on the success we've had with our Educational Institute classes held at Alliance or other industry events," said Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of the Smart Card Alliance. "Now, smart card training is accessible from home or office to anyone with a need for knowledge about a broad array of technology and application-oriented topics. And they can gain this knowledge at their own pace in their own time."

The course consists of nine modules and takes approximately six hours to complete. The designers incorporated industry-leading online learning techniques such as scenario-based animations, media-rich diagrams and exercises, simulated practical examples and Knowledge Checkpoints to maximize the learning experience and make it fun. Users can enter and exit the course at will and always return to the last viewed page. The modules are:

--  Module One: Introduction to Smart Card Technology
--  Module Two: Smart Card Security
--  Module Three: Contactless Smart Card Technology
--  Module Four: Access Control Applications
--  Module Five: Biometrics
--  Module Six: Public Key Infrastructure
--  Module Seven: Smart Card Financial Applications
--  Module Eight: Card Issuance and Personalization
--  Module Nine: Smart Card Implementation
    

An automated proficiency test is administered at the conclusion of the course and a certificate of completion is generated for everyone achieving a passing grade on the exam. The cost for the online training course is US$99 per user. Also, the next in-person smart card training Educational Institute course will be held on April 10, 2007 prior to the Smart Cards in Government Conference in Washington, DC. For more information about this online smart card training or in-person course, please visit http://www.smartcardalliance.org.

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.

Through specific projects such as education programs, market research, advocacy, industry relations and open forums, the Alliance keeps its members connected to industry leaders and innovative thought. The Alliance is the single industry voice for smart cards, leading industry discussion on the impact and value of smart cards in the U.S. and Latin America. For more information, please visit http://www.smartcardalliance.org.

Media Contact:
Deb Montner
Montner & Associates
203-226-9290
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