SANTA ANA, Calif. and ISMANING, Germany, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SCM Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCMM;Prime Standard, SMY), a leading provider of solutions for secureaccess, secure identity and secure exchange, is expanding its smartcard reader product family with three new models that usher in a newera of compact, portable, personal devices. The new handheld, USB orNear Field Communication (NFC) connected readers are designed to becarried - on key rings, in pockets or purses - and used every day withcontact or contactless smart cards, regardless of technology ormanufacturer. In many instances, users insert the card and leave it inthe reader - leaving them with a single small device for all smartcard-related needs.

Smart cards are being used worldwide to secure identitiesin many applications, such as bank payment cards, employee accessbadges, government identity cards and healthcare IDs. SCM's new readersenable cardholders to use their smart cards anytime, anywhere with PCs,the Internet or other terminals. Many models allow physical access tobuildings, too. Cardholders can use the reader to pay more securely orto authenticate their network identities with banks, employers,government agencies, or healthcare providers. They can even downloaddiscounts or promotion links from NFC smart posters, take them home andload them into a PC.

"Our new readers address two important market driversthat are at the core of our strategy, the growth of contactlesstechnology and the convergence of physical access and IT securitysystems," said Felix Marx, chief executive officer of SCM Microsystems."Organizations making large scale deployments need to provide their endusers with ways to use smart cards for secure physical entry, as wellas with PCs and over the Internet at home, at work or at school. Weengineered these personal smart card readers to fill that gap. They arecompact and ultra-portable, so people can carry them to use with theirsmart cards wherever they go."

The new smart card readers are the SCR3500 SmartFold, the SCT3511 and the @MAXX lite. SCM will make them available in August through both OEM and distribution channels.

SCR3500 SmartFold: portable contact smart card reader
The SCR3500 SmartFold is a uniquely designed small, portablecontact smart card reader that fits easily on a key ring and in everypocket. Since it is easy to carry around, users do not have to wait tocome home to make secure online transactions. Online services can beaccessed and payments can be made from anywhere, with full protectionfrom password stealing spyware. The reader is unfolded and insertedinto a free USB port of a notebook. Then, the smart card in ID-1(credit card) format is inserted into the reader to enable secureaccess to bank accounts, online payments, Web services or companyinformation systems.

SCT3511: contact and contactless USB token
The SCT3511 is a USB token with both contact and ISO 14443and MIFARE(TM) contactless capabilities. It acts as a contact readerfor ID-000 (SIM card format) smart cards, and has an antenna for usewith a dual interface contact/contactless smart card that supports anantenna connection. This device is ideal for contactless payment andticketing applications. Additionally, it is used for converged physicaland logical access control in the enterprise. At work, with the smartcard inserted, it is used for secure logon to networks or PCs using aPKI digital identity certificates. It can also be used for more securephysical access to the building instead of the usual employee badge.

@MAXX lite: contact/contactless USB token with integrated Flash memory
@MAXX lite is the newest addition to SCM's innovative @MAXX family of products. Like the SCT3511, @MAXX lite isa token with both contact and contactless smart card-basedfunctionalities. It adds on-board Flash memory for secure storage ofsensitive data. With a smart card in PC-connected mode, @MAXX lite encryptsdata on a hard disk and the onboard Flash memory, and protects accessby requiring a PIN entry. Other uses include contactless payment,ticketing applications, secure logon to PCs and networks with a digitalidentity certificate, storing encrypted and PIN protected logins andpasswords in the smart card or Flash, or filling Web forms usingsecurely stored personal information.

About SCM Microsystems, Inc.
SCM Microsystems (NASDAQ: SCMM;Prime Standard: SMY) is a global leader in security and identitysolutions for secure access, secure identity and secure exchange.Together with its Hirsch Electronics subsidiary, SCM provides complete,integrated solutions that secure digital assets, electronictransactions and facilities. The company offers the world's broadestrange of contact, contactless and mobile smart card reader technology;physical and logical access control systems; digital identitytransaction platforms; biometrics; and digital video. SCM's solutionsenable a wide variety of applications including enterprise security,identity management, contactless payment, e-health and electronicgovernment services. For more information please go to www.scmmicro.comand www.HirschElectronics.com.

Note: MIFARE is a trademark of NXP Semiconductors. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.