The Smart Card Alliance has announced the opening of a new training center established through a grant from Heartland Payments Systems.

According to a press release, the National Center for Advanced Payments and Identity Security in Crystal City, Virginia, will be a permanent facility for live, interactive and dynamic educational activities hosted by the Smart Card Alliance.

Activities at the center will include workshops, educational courses, briefings, symposiums, and training and certification testing for the Certified Smart Card Industry Program and Certified System Engineer ICAM PACS Training and Certification Program.

Educational programs will be available to both Smart Card Alliance members and nonmembers, the release said. For those unable to attend in-person events, certain activities will be live streamed and/or recorded, and archived as part of an online resource library hosted by the Smart Card Alliance

"Education is fundamental to improving the way the industry manages security," said Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of the Smart Card Alliance. "With this new facility, the Smart Card Alliance will be able to greatly expand education and collaboration programs aimed at improving security across multiple markets and subject areas, including payment security, identity security and privacy protection, through both face-to-face and online events and assets."

Additional information about the new center and about Smart Card Alliance training and certification programs is available online.