Packaging

Giesecke & Devrient brings Stronger Authentication to the Secure Voice Market with the Mobile Security Card VE 2.0

Tuesday 30. November 2010 - Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) is introducing a new microSD card to prevent cell phone tapping. The Mobile Security Card VE 2.0 contains a cryptocontroller which encrypts cell phone conversations and securely authenticates the user. T

hanks to keys that are up to 521 bits long, based on elliptical curves, this one-of-a-kind cryptocard makes strong authentication possible on cell phones and smart phones. The microSD card, which is inserted in the cell phone, was developed by Giesecke & Devrient Secure Flash Solutions (G&D SFS), a joint venture of G&D and Phison Electronics Corp. The company will be demonstrating what the card is capable of at the Giesecke & Devrient stand (Hall 4, Stand 4 J 001) at CARTES & IDentification from December 7 to 9, 2010 in Paris.
VE stands for Voice Edition, and the new Mobile Security Card VE 2.0, which fits into the microSD slot in cell phones and smart phones, was designed specially for companies wishing to protect themselves from attempts to tap cell phone conversations. The cryptocard’s hardware meets the Common Criteria EAL 5+ security standard, and the Secure Voice Card uses two-factor authentication: to confirm their identity, users need not only the card itself but also the appropriate PIN.
The longer an encryption algorithm’s key is, the harder it is to crack. What makes the Mobile Security Card VE 2.0 stand out is the record speed with which it calculates keys, which are up to 521 bits long and based on elliptical curves, and carries out the associated exchange of keys. “Thanks to its 521-bit key, the Mobile Security Card VE 2.0 guarantees strong authentication and as a result it offers a considerable level of security. The market has never seen anything like this product,” states Marcus Rosin, Managing Director of G&D SFS.
A key size of 521 bits in elliptical curve cryptography offers the same level of security as a 15,360-bit key in RSA cryptography. It also makes full use of the security capacity offered by the AES 256 mode for symmetric encryption as well as by Digest SHA-512, which means the Mobile Security Card VE 2.0 offers the strongest security in the market for the microSD form factor.
The Mobile Security Card VE 2.0 has a 2 GB memory and is supported by the Windows Mobile, Blackberry, Symbian, Android, and Linux mobile operating system platforms. G&D is aiming this card at the Secure Voice market, where for instance system integrators will be able to offer mobile telephony with the option of protection against tapping. Samples of the card are available with immediate effect for system manufacturers, system integrators, and value-added resellers, whilst commercial deliveries are scheduled to begin in Q1 2011.
Anyone interested in the advantages of the Mobile Security Card VE 2.0 should come to the Giesecke & Devrient Stand (Hall 4, Stand 4 J 001) at CARTES & IDentification December 7 to 9, 2010 in Paris to see it for themselves.