Spanish Govt invests in smart card readers

SPAIN: Secure ID provider SCM Microsystems has shipped more than 200,000 smart card readers to support the Spanish government’s electronic ID project.

The SCR3310v2.0 readers will be used to enable various e-government applications that will allow individuals and businesses to access government, banking and administration applications, as well as to digitally sign documents.

SCM received the order from red.es, an entity within the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade that’s responsible for driving the information society in Spain and for carrying out strategic projects. Spain is providing the readers to its citizens at no charge to help drive the distribution and use of the electronic ID card, adds a press note.

While 14 million ID Cards have been issued to Spanish citizens since 2006, users have been slow to utilize the various functions that the cards enable.