Organizations face persistent challenges of ensuring security and privacy, confirming identity, managing authorization and legitimizing business transactions in both cyber and physical worlds. At CARTES in North America, March 5-7, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nev., security and smart card authorities will present a roadmap for organizations to address these issues along with real-world strategies for managing risks from the growing prevalence of mobile applications as well as new cloud-based services.

The pace of technological change, risk of data breaches and misuse of information are raising consumer concerns throughout the world about the use of their personal data. In the United States the collection of personal data is big business with companies spending up to $2 billion a year to collect it, according to a recent report from Forrester Research. CARTES in North America will host a day-long track on March 5, on IT Security, Trust & Privacy, featuring speakers from the United States and Europe addressing topics ranging from the security of electronic identification solutions and the application of biometrics, to how to leverage mobile applications for authentication and privacy protection. The track is presented in three sections: ID Authentication, Biometrics and Privacy Protection; IT Security & Cloud Computing and Digital ID & Transactions.
The conference program highlights on March 5 include silver sponsor HID Global presenting a session on “The New Reality of Converged Access Through Smart Cards.”

“The convergence of facilities access and IT security improves simplicity, cost efficiencies and security, while requiring more organizational collaboration,” said Julian Lovelock, Vice President of Product Marketing for HID Global's ActivIdentity's business. “We will share the latest developments with common access cards and next-generation credentials that can be securely delivered to smart phones.”

Renesas Electronics America, also a silver sponsor, will speak on “Biometrics for Better Individual Authentication and Security.”

“We are moving toward a ‘smart’ society where connected devices allow us to interact more efficiently and conveniently. However, with increased connectivity comes the need for increased security awareness, especially for electronic identification or NFC payment applications,” said Denis Pochet, Manager, Secure Microcontroller Segment, Renesas Electronics America. “Biometric authentication is key to providing the required security backbone."

Security is also on agenda on day 2 of the conference. The Global Mobile Payment and Services Track on March 6 will feature nine security sessions on “The Mobile: A Trusted Environment?,” “Certificates & Standardization,” and “Secure Identity on the Mobile Device.”

The first CARTES in North America expo and conference will bring smart technologies, m-commerce and digital security authorities and leading technology providers to Las Vegas, Nevada for 70 conference sessions on topics ranging from NFC, mobile payment and EMV Deployments to trust, privacy and IT security. The event will feature technology and application demonstrations by a sold-out roster of 120 exhibitors.

CARTES in North America is produced by Comexposium. Sponsors and exhibitors include ABnote, American Express, 3M, CPI Card Group, HID Global, MasterCard Worldwide, Oberthur, Renesas, Thales, Verifone. Event partners include the BayPay Forum, Eurosmart, NFC Forum, GlobalPlatform, Global Prepaid Exchange, The Human Chain, The MULTOS Consortium, OATH, SIMalliance, The Smart Payment Association and WIMA NFC USA.

Follow the conversation on CARTES in North America via Twitter and on Facebook. Accredited members of the media are invited to register for free at http://www.cartes-northamerica.com/Forms/Press-Accreditation. For more information on CARTES in North America, visit www.CARTES-northamerica.com.

# # #

About CARTES

The CARTES Network encompasses the leading international and regional exhibitions and conferences devoted to smart technologies. From its beginnings in Paris in 1985, CARTES has grown to become the world number one security and payment event, gathering 450 exhibitors and 20,000 visitors from 142 countries. Since 2010, CARTES exhibitions and conferences have taken place in Asia and are now being introduced in North America. CARTES events are organized by COMEXPOSIUM, the leading French professional trade fairs organizer, offering a high level of service and premium quality standards for exhibitors and visitors.