Now that RIM has quite a few NFC equipped devices out there, many have been looking for ways to make use of the newest feature addition to their BlackBerry smartphones and for the most part -- have come up short. The landscape for wide spread NFC usage just isn't there yet and as we know it, NFC is an evolving technology. One way which RIM intends to use NFC is now coming to light with an announcement from HiD Global.

HiD Global manufactures secure identity solutions such as secure ID cards which are primarily used in government, financial, corporate, education and healthcare sectors. Now, they'll be working with RIM and making use of what they call iCLASS digital keys using NFC technology.

The use of iClass digital keys combined with the use of iClass digital readers and BlackBerry smartphones means people will no longer need to rely on smartcards. Instead of making use of a smartcard, BlackBerry smartphone users will be able to hold their device in their hand, and have the iClass reader pull their security credentials from it.

The technology will be trialed this year and HiD global expects embedded iCLASS technology to be avilable for the BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 and BlackBerry Curve 9350/9360 smartphones in early 2012. You can jump past the break for the full press release.

Source: HiD Global

NFC-Enabled BlackBerry Smartphones Will ‘Open Doors’ with HID Global’s iCLASS® Digital Keys and Readers

New NFC-Enabled BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Curve Will Be First Smartphones with iCLASS Functionality for Digital Keys and Identification for Secure Access to Buildings, Offices and Networks

IRVINE, Calif., September 15, 2011 – HID Global, trusted leader in solutions for the delivery of secure identity, today announced an industry first with plans to support the company’s iCLASS® digital keys and mobile secure identity on NFC-enabled BlackBerry® smartphones. The new BlackBerry® Bold™ 9900/9930 and BlackBerry® Curve™ 9350/9360 smartphones activated with iCLASS digital credentials will be compatible with the large installed base of iCLASS readers that are used for applications ranging from physical access systems in buildings, to student IDs, to applications that track time and attendance.

HID Global will be previewing iCLASS digital keys and mobile identity credentials using the Near Field Communications (NFC) capabilities of the BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone at the ASIS International 2011 security conference, September 19-22, in booth #2400 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. In addition, representatives from HID Global and BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM) will be speaking about this new platform at ASIS. Register here to attend.

“This industry first is an important milestone in the deployment of mobile access and identity solutions using NFC technology on smartphones,” said Dr. Tam Hulusi, senior vice president of strategic innovation with HID Global. “We will continue to innovate in the delivery of secure identity, as NFC-enabled smartphones represent a complementary new platform that we believe will expand the access control market and our online card services business while improving user security and convenience.”

Instead of using keys or smartcards, BlackBerry smartphone users will be able to use iCLASS digital credentials that can be presented for authentication by simply holding their NFC-enabled BlackBerry smartphone in front of a reader, just like they do today with a physical iCLASS smartcard.

“NFC technology will enable many new and exciting capabilities for BlackBerry smartphones and we are very pleased to be working with HID Global to be the first to bring a host of secure identity and mobile access control capabilities to NFC-enabled smartphones,” said Andrew Bocking, vice president, Handheld Software Product Management at RIM.

Pilots using BlackBerry smartphones activated with iCLASS digital credentials will be conducted this year. HID Global expects that its embedded iCLASS technology will be generally available for the BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 and BlackBerry Curve 9350/9360 smartphones in early 2012.

About iCLASS Technology

Introduced in 2002, HID Global’s iCLASS smartcard technology for access control applications brings the convenience, affordability and reliability of earlier proximity technology to a more powerful and versatile platform that delivers enhanced security through data encryption and mutual authentication. Optimized to make physical access control more powerful, iCLASS 13.56 MHz read/write contactless smart card technology provides versatile interoperability and supports multiple applications such as biometric authentication, cashless vending and PC log on security. The iCLASS platform, along with HID Global’s multi-technology multiCLASS solution, has become the standard for efficient, secure and effective access control, and the company’s recently announced iCLASS SE platform is now taking the industry to a new level of security, portability and performance.

About HID Global

HID Global is the trusted source for secure identity solutions for millions of customers around the world. Recognized for robust quality, innovative designs and industry leadership, HID Global is the supplier of choice for OEMs, system integrators, and application developers serving a variety of markets. These markets include physical and logical access control, including strong authentication and credential management; card printing and personalization; highly secure government ID; and identification technologies used in animal ID and industry and logistics applications. The company's primary brands include HID®, ActivIdentity®, FARGO®, and LaserCard®. Headquartered in Irvine, California, HID Global has over 2,100 employees worldwide and operates international offices that support more than 100 countries. HID Global is an ASSA ABLOY Group brand. For more information, visit www.hidglobal.com.