NXP and HID Global Enable Mobile Access for NFC Phones

Leaders Offer Mobile Physical Access Systems for the Enterprise

EINDHOVEN, Netherlands & IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) and HID Global, both trusted leaders in solutions for the delivery of secure identity, today announced their collaboration to introduce a global, generic Mobile Access solution for NFC-enabled mobile phones. NFC enables the secure and convenient sharing of information from one device to another over short distances based upon existing contactless standards, making it ideal for deploying easy-to use mobile access control applications.

HID Global and NXP helped create the current market for card-based physical access systems and are now jointly moving these solutions to mobile phones as NFC becomes a standard feature.

The contactless cards that employees use to enter corporate buildings and parking garages can now be transferred to an NFC-enabled phone storing digital access credentials.

The credentials are stored on NXP’s embedded Secure Element within the handset and are presented by the mobile phone in a manner that is compatible with access control readers and systems. As the use of NFC smart phones for access control becomes increasingly more popular, consumers and enterprises can expect the same high level of security with improved convenience on a mobile device.

The jointly developed solution also leverages NXP and HID Global advanced reader technologies within a physical access control infrastructure. The solution supports existing HID Global readers and those based on the company’s iCLASS SIO-Enabled (iCLASS SE®) platform that fuels the migration of physical access control technology beyond traditional cards and readers by enabling deployment of mobile access with digital credentials. HID’s iCLASS SE readers will be powered by NXP’s new CLRC663 reader ICs and fully support 13.56 MHz smart cards that are ISO14443 compliant, including MIFARE DESFIRE EV1.

To ensure maximum compatibility, the new Mobile Access management solution from NXP and HID Global is backward-compatible with newer HID Global iCLASS® readers, and is forward-compatible to HID Global’s Trusted Identity Platform® (TIP™) ecosystem. Existing HID customers can upgrade certain iCLASS implementations to support the use of NFC-enabled mobile phones without the need to physically replace the installed readers. NXP’s technology supports the management of multiple applications such as payment, e-government, access management and ticketing, all via one microcontroller that assures secure and convenient recognition without compromising security, performance and design productivity.

Dr. Selva Selvaratnam, senior vice president and chief technology officer with HID Global, said, “NXP is playing a vital role in the adoption of NFC technology among handset manufacturers and developer communities. By working together, this application can be deployed immediately on a significant number of mobile phones. We are excited to team up and combine our leadership positions in the access management market to offer the industry new leading-edge solutions.”

Henri Ardevol, vice president and general manager, secure transactions with NXP Semiconductors, said, “We are very pleased to co-operate with HID Global on the development of this new solution. As leading enterprises continue to invest in mobile technology and security infrastructure, our collaboration brings real value and convenience around the world. In addition, combining HID Global’s iCLASS SE readers with our MIFARE DESFire and NFC technology ensures greater interoperability in access management and accelerates adoption of NFC applications within the enterprise space.”

Technical Details

NXP and HID Global have based their Mobile Access solution on NXP’s PN65 family of NFC ICs for low power, high-performance communication and tamper-resistant secure data storage. The PN65 features NXP’s market leading, high performance NFC radio controller PN544 and an embedded Secure Element (eSE). The eSE incorporates NXP’s advanced SmartMX technology used to safeguard hundreds of millions of bank cards; electronic passports and eID cards; transportation tickets; and other card and credentials around the world. The NXP ICs will support HID Global’s Secure Identity Object (SIO™) technology for portable credential provisioning, storage and lifecycle management, and HID’s Trusted Identity Platform (TIP) for endpoint management and security. HID’s SIOs introduce a new standards-based, technology-independent and flexible identity data structure that enables smart card technologies to be deployed for use on a wide range of portable platforms including NFC phones. The SIO data structure provides new levels of security, portability and performance, and makes it possible for facility and security managers to remotely manage credential provisioning on designated mobile devices. It also enables them to dynamically increase security levels and address future changes in requirements via simple firmware updates.

About HID Global

HID Global is the trusted source for secure identity solutions for millions of customers around the world. Recognized for robust quality, innovative designs and industry leadership, HID Global is the supplier of choice for OEMs, system integrators, and application developers serving a variety of markets. These markets include physical and logical access control, including strong authentication and credential management; card printing and personalization; highly secure government ID; and identification technologies used in animal ID and industry and logistics applications. The company's primary brands include HID®, ActivIdentity™, FARGO®, and LaserCard®. Headquartered in Irvine, California, HID Global has over 2,100 employees worldwide and operates international offices that support more than 100 countries. HID Global is an ASSA ABLOY Group brand. For more information, visit www.hidglobal.com.

About NXP Semiconductors

NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) provides High Performance Mixed Signal and Standard Product solutions that leverage its leading RF, Analog, Power Management, Interface, Security and Digital Processing expertise. These innovations are used in a wide range of automotive, identification, wireless infrastructure, lighting, industrial, mobile, consumer and computing applications. A global semiconductor company with operations in more than 25 countries, NXP posted revenue of $4.2 billion in 2011. Additional information can be found by visiting www.nxp.com.

KDDI Selects Gemalto for Japan's First Mobile NFC Launch

March 28, 2012 09:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

CARTES in Asia 2012

HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CARTES in Asia - Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653), the world leader in digital security, announces being selected by KDDI for Japan’s first commercial launch of mobile NFC services. KDDI serves over 34 million subscribers in Japan. Successfully launched in January, Gemalto provides a one-stop service to KDDI, encompassing its Allynis Trusted Service Manager (TSM) software and UpTeq NFC high-end security device.

“As Japan is where mobile proximity started many years ago, with consumers already actively using mobile contactless services, we anticipate quick user adoption of this new service.”

The launch is a part of the recently announced Japan Mobile NFC Consortium that brings together the country’s three largest operators to coordinate the adoption of multiple international standards for NFC. Subscribers are able to experience various types of contactless services ranging from mobile payments, transportation services, e-driver’s licenses, e-ticketing as well as information acquisition from smart posters. The launch sees participation from a wide-range of leading industries including car manufacturers, airlines and cinema operators. The launch in Japan will also allow end users to use NFC services both domestically and outside of Japan.

KDDI’s early migration to Gemalto’s Upteq NFC high-end security SIM-format device provides a solid protection for the operator’s investments in NFC with lower risks and higher returns. KDDI began last year to insert UpTeq NFC in handsets in place of the standard SIM/UICC so they are ready now to mass deploy NFC services. This further permits the operator to progressively incorporate new partners without the need to extensively pre-qualify each and every service and application or anticipate all the subscriber configurations ahead of time. Service providers and KDDI are able to easily deploy and manage new services and install additional applications with full flexibility, after card issuance to end users. KDDI’s mobile NFC program will be based on international standards compliant with GSMA’s Pay-Buy-Mobile specifications, allowing for faster market rollout and ensuring a high level of security for transactions.

“With more than 45 NFC projects globally, Gemalto has unrivalled experience in managing the complexity of building a mobile contactless ecosystem,” said Kenichi Bandou, Senior Manager, KDDI. “As Japan is where mobile proximity started many years ago, with consumers already actively using mobile contactless services, we anticipate quick user adoption of this new service.”

“KDDI’s decision to proceed with commercialization was based on their subscribers’ positive feedback that the pilot program brought much convenience and added value to their daily lives,” added Tan Teck-Lee, President Asia, Gemalto. “Built from our extensive engagements across key digital security markets worldwide, Gemalto’s end-to-end NFC solution will enable further massive deployment of mobile contactless services across Japan. It is also the first step towards NFC roaming capability, which will enable mobile users to make purchases in globally compatible contactless point of sales wherever they are when they travel abroad.”

EMV Chip in the US – an Informal Survey

A smartcard graphic, without banklogos or similar copyright/trademark concerns. Card holder's name and card numbers are made up. The 3 by 5 mm security chip embedded in the card is shown enlarged in the inset. Chip inset taken from Janke's "Smartcard.JPG" (Also GFDL). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

March 28, 2012 01:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--It’s been a long time coming, but there are indications that the US is finally going to adopt EMV chip. This technology has already been embraced by the rest of the world as a way to make card payments more secure. Recently, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover have announced measures to encourage EMV migration in the States, several banks have started issuing chip cards (albeit only to frequent travelers) and some merchants are upgrading to EMV-compliant POS terminals. But many questions still remain.

Over the past few months, Auriemma Consulting Group and Savantor undertook a “listening tour” to answer some of those questions. The firms interviewed senior officers at a handful of banks, retailers and other payments organizations to get a feel for what they are thinking and how they see the EMV chip story panning out in the US. Some interesting and important themes emerged, including:

Everyone believes migration to EMV chip in the US is now inevitable, but few expect it to happen before the newly mandated headlines.
Many do not regard EMV chip as a high-priority, long-term strategic issue.
Chip with signature verification is expected to be deployed, rather than Chip + Pin.
Mobile NFC and other emerging payments models increase uncertainty.
Large retailers are the main drivers of EMV migration, with many other stakeholders adopting a “wait and see” attitude.
There is a lack of central coordination and leadership.

Jointly, Savantor and ACG have released a white paper detailing the findings of their research. For a free copy, please contact either firm at the phone number or email addresses below.

About Auriemma Consulting Group

Auriemma Consulting Group (ACG) is a full-service management consulting firm serving the payments and lending industries since 1984. With offices in New York and London, ACG consultants are experienced practitioners, drawn from the credit card, private label, auto finance, mortgage, and retail banking industries that we serve.

About Savantor

Founded in the UK in 1997 and headquartered in London, Savantor offers a wide range of experienced, practitioner advice to financial institutions on the subject of business and operational change, with a particular focus on card payments.

Download weblink: www.savantor.com/auriemma-savantor-whitepaper.asp