SIMalliance, the global nonprofit industry association that simplifies secure element implementation to drive secure mobile services, will bring together NFC industry experts in May, to discuss the key security, usability and testing considerations of NFC deployments and the approaches offered by host card emulation, secure element and hybrid deployment models, according to a press release.

The organization will host a free-to-attend, half-day interactive workshop ahead of CARTES Secure Connexions America 2015, in Washington on May 4. Its aim is to educate banks and secure NFC service providers, including transit operators and merchants, on the importance of determining an optimal NFC deployment strategy based on the unique security, usability and other requirements of individual NFC service use cases. 

SIMalliance’s "Evaluating NFC Deployment Strategies" workshop will feature a number of speakers with expert knowledge on NFC-related topics, including:

• Martha Hall Findlay, chief legal officer at EnStream, who will offer an insight on the successful EnStream initiative that has made Canada a world leader in mobile NFC payments.
• Kevin Gillick, GlobalPlatform executive director, who will explain the organization’s work to facilitate the process of deploying secure mobile services, through its "End to End Simplified Framework."  
• Hervé Pierre, SIMalliance chairman, who will provide an overview of the current NFC landscape and set different deployment models in context.

The workshop will also feature an interactive panel discussion, involving representatives from leading NFC testing and certification companies, titled, "The Importance of Testing and Certification in NFC Deployments." 

"NFC has gained real ground in the past twelve months thanks to some high-profile deployments, and many more banks and other service providers are now evaluating their options for bringing secure mobile services to market," Pierre said in a statement. "This workshop will offer an overview of the different deployment options available, and explain that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to NFC. We aim to support delegates as they navigate their way through the choices currently available in today’s NFC landscape, and help them to understand that the most appropriate technology, or combination of technologies should be determined by the requirements of specific use cases and the preferences of individual service providers."   

Limited passes are available for delegates in three categories: service providers (banks, transit operators, retailers etc); MNOs; and technology vendors. Places will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested parties are encouraged to register early. 

SIMalliance’s "Evaluating NFC Deployment Strategies" workshop will be held on the afternoon of May 4, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.  Further information, including registration details and a current agenda, can be found on the dedicated event page.