News

G&D makes mobile devices more secure with new smart card

February 22, 2010

Following its first-generation Mobile Security Card 3.1 microSD for security applications, Giesecke & Devrient has announced the release of Mobile Security Card SE 1.0.

According to a news release from G&D, the new version incorporates a cryptocontroller, which provides security for cell phones, smartphones, notebooks and other mobile devices without requiring a smart card reader. Mobile Security Card SE 1.0 was demonstrated Feb. 15-18 in Barcelona during the Mobile World Congress.

The Mobile Security Card SE 1.0 has 2 gigabytes of memory, which is double that of its predecessor, and uses version 5.0 of theSm@rtCafÃ©Expert smart card operating system, which is certified by Germany's Federal Office for Information Security. The card's hardware conforms to the Common Criteria EAL 5+ security standard, and the software meets the requirements of CC EAL 4+. The security solution is supported by mobile operating platforms such as MS Windows Mobile, BlackBerry Device Software, Symbian OS, Android OS and Linux. The Mobile Security Card also works with Windows and Linux PC platforms for use in netbooks and notebooks.

Inserted into the microSD card slot on mobile devices, Mobile Security Card SE 1.0 handles user authentication as well as encryption and signature operations as an independent cryptomodule. In a two-factor process, the user authenticates himself to the Mobile Security Card and only gains access to the mobile device if the information matches. The microSD card can be used for various security scenarios, e.g. for mobile office and banking applications. Providers of independent software can develop their own security solutions for use with the Mobile Security Card.

On BlackBerry smartphones the card integrates itself in the BlackBerry Device Software 5.0 and handles user-friendly encryption and signature of e-mail traffic and device memory. The Mobile Security Card can also be used with an additional driver software on Smartphones using the BlackBerry Device Software 4.5.

Development and distribution of the Mobile Security Card SE 1.0 is being handled by Giesecke & Devrient Secure Flash Solutions, a joint venture of G&D and Phison Electronics Corp.