Millions routinely use some kind of secure personal device derived from smart card technology. We have a lot to be proud of as an industry. A recent survey confirmed that in 2007 more than 3.5 billion secure devices–passports, SIM cards, corporate badges and more–will be issued.

Yet, we are barely scratching the surface. As I look at the future, the extraordinary impact we will have on people’s lives will be nothing short of amazing.

Everyone who travels with a U.S. passport, every regular transit rider, every federal employee or subcontractor, every smart phone with global roaming and about half of all the mobile phone users in the country will rely on some type of personal portable security device, working invisibly to make their digital interactions simple and safe.

But, it is the new markets on the horizon, notably contactless and mobile payment, identity management and healthcare, that will make our technology truly pervasive. The first two have significant momentum already, and will become prevalent over the coming two years.

One new sector I believe will emerge strongly in the coming year is healthcare, as several large implementations get underway. People in these programs will benefit in many ways, specifically from administration efficiencies, including faster hospital admissions and more efficient claims submissions. They will also receive better healthcare. Having a personal healthcare record reduces errors in treatment or medication, two leading causes of hospital deaths. It also provides a ready-to-use reference for emergency room treatment.

The reason digital security technology is becoming pervasive is simple. People’s digital lives are becoming more mobile, and that creates tremendous new possibilities. To make the most of that potential, services providers need to make their customers confident that their identities and assets are safe. In example after example, secure, microprocessor-based smart card technology in all of its various forms is proving to be the best way to get that done.

Freedom and security matter when you buy things quickly and easily, in shops or online. You want to know your credit card is safe. You want to be able to enter a subway in two seconds at peak hours without hassle. You also may need to track and manage your health insurance reimbursements anytime, access your office computer from anywhere in the world, control your different passwords and easily connect from any of your personal electronics.

This is the great promise of the digital revolution–freedom for users to do more and enjoy more. The digital security technologies we provide play a critical role in fulfilling this promise, fitting seamlessly into our daily activities. Our industry delivers meaningful solutions that improve the world we live in.

The fact that three and half billion citizens of the world this year will receive a personal digital security device proves its popularity, and worth. I think that’s called a landslide victory.

About the AVISIAN Publishing Expert Panel At the close of each year, AVISIAN Publishing’s editorial team selects a group of key leaders from various sectors of the ID technology market to serve as Expert Panelists. Each individual is asked to share their unique insight into what lies ahead. During the month of December, these panelist’s predictions are published daily at the appropriate title within the AVISIAN suite of ID technology publications: SecureIDNews.com, ContactlessNews.com, CR80News.com, RFIDNews.org, FIPS201.com, NFCNews.com, ThirdFactor.com, and DigitalIDNews.com.