This approval marks the conclusion of the GCB, Visa and MasterCard certification sequence. Sagem Orga now has two DDA platforms developed and deployed in Europe and is well positioned for the challenges of the future Single European Payment Area (SEPA).

The mask, which is already in use by France's largest banks, enables all bank applications typically found in France, EMV and Moneo. It has been awarded the EAL 4+ certificate, which currently is the toughest security standard in existence. The solution features a cryptoprocessor with improved Dynamic Data Authentication (DDA) for enhanced security.

Sagem Orga has been providing substantial support to major banks in France by completely renewing their bank cards, which will be equipped with this mask in the future. Delivery of the cards began in May of this year. This latest achievement reinforces Sagem Orga's core competence in developing masks in keeping with the very highest security standards and delivering greater security in card transactions to the French banking community.

"We are delighted that this project awarded to Sagem Orga has been completed. The approval after two years of cooperation between the teams of GCB and Sagem Orga means that French banks will now be able to initiate migration of their bank cards to a better security standard," noted Yves Randoux, CEO of the Groupement des Cartes Bancaires.

"With two highly secure solutions deployed in the Europe's leading EMV DDA markets, Sagem Orga is uniquely positioned to deliver best of breed products for the Single European Payment Area (SEPA). France and Germany will form an important part of SEPA's card framework and have declared security to be the key factor. With our proven competence in both countries, Sagem Orga is well positioned for the SEPA challenge", says Silvio Stockmann, head of the Business Unit Banking at Sagem Orga.