STRATEGIC PARTNERS
February 25, 2002
New York/Eindhoven, The Netherlands -- Philips Semiconductors and IBM Research are jointly developing a new generation of multi-function smart cards that will offer the highest level of security for applications such as banking, electronic purse, medical records, secure authentication and customer loyalty programs.
The cards, based on Philips Semiconductors' SmartXA smart card processor, will incorporate a highly secure operating system and enhanced JavaCard virtual machine software being developed by IBM Research. The companies are undergoing third-party certification at high assurance levels (ITSEC or Common Criteria) for the operating system and JavaCard virtual machine software on the SmartXA hardware platform. This certification will provide added assurance that applications and information from multiple vendors are securely separated from each other.
Scott McGregor, senior vice president and general manager of Philips Semiconductors' Emerging Businesses, said that combining IBM Research's advanced software with Philips Semiconductors' secure SmartXA processor will encourage greater use of smart cards worldwide. "Companies will be able to issue a single card that supports applications from multiple sources, knowing that an independent third party has assured that valuable information remains totally separate and secure from other companies offering services on the card."
The new IBM-Philips Semiconductors approach marks the first time that multiple smart card applications can be written in different programming languages and then loaded onto the same card after it is issued. The approach supports applications written in native assembler language, high-level languages such as C compiled to native binary code, and interpreted languages such as Java. In addition, the software uses security features of the SmartXA to provide an additional level of assurance that applications on the card cannot access any other vendor's information, no matter by whom or in what language they are written, and regardless of when they are loaded.
