Previously positioned as the international specification body for smart card infrastructure, GlobalPlatform acknowledges its value proposition is now, and has been for quite some time, one that reaches far beyond the historic positioning of the smart card platform. Today, it launches new wording that accurately reflects the ability of GlobalPlatform's technology to enable the development of trusted end-to-end embedded chip solutions, which serve multiple actors and support several business models.

GlobalPlatform applies the term 'secure chip' in reference to embedded technologies used in various chips - such as smart cards, application processors, SD cards, USB tokens and secure elements - for protecting assets (data, keys and applications) from physical or software attacks.

The cross-industry body's commitment to advancing a neutral and scalable secure chip technology landscape remains a core strategy. GlobalPlatform will also continue to invest resources in developing an open compliance program ecosystem to ensure the long-term interoperability of secure chip technology.

Kevin Gillick, GlobalPlatform's Executive Director, comments: "The GlobalPlatform Board and Executive Committee identified that the original terminology and positioning of the association to a specific form factor - the smart card - was limiting when reflecting on the evolution of the industry and how GlobalPlatform's technology has guided the industry forward in a highly specified manner. Collectively, we carefully considered how to communicate this more effectively to ensure those operating within the sector could easily relate to our initiatives and output. We believe the repositioning achieves this succinctly and, as a member-driven body, will engage more people in our efforts moving forward."