Prepress

Giesecke & Devrient Launches Security Solution for Mobile Devices running under the Android Operating System

Tuesday 03. November 2009 - Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) has added a new product to its range of innovative security solutions for mobile communication. The Mobile Security Card is designed for use with the new generation of mobile devices that run under the Android operating system.

Acting as an independent cryptographic module, the Mobile Security Card handles user authentication and all encryption and signature operations. G&D has made its driver software openly available, permitting application developers to incorporate security functions in their own applications using the G&D security component. The new Mobile Security Card, which employs the microSD format and is equipped with a smart card chip, can serve as a high-security platform for a wide variety of mobile applications. It even permits companies with special security requirements to create their own features for cellphones that run under the Android operating system.

“The integration of our solution in the Android operating system is an important milestone. G&D intends to play a greater role in this area in future. Our wide-ranging experience in security technologies places us in an ideal position to shape the future development of the market for mobile applications, especially those involving the security of digital business processes,” says Dr. Kai Grassie, Head of the New Business division at G&D.

The Mobile Security Card is a flexible solution that can be adapted to many different security requirements. Users simply insert the memory card into the microSD slot of their Android handheld device. Thanks to its large data memory and integrated, high-performance smart card chip, it is a reliable alternative to external smart cards. Users authenticate themselves to the Mobile Security Card by means of a two-factor process and, if successful, are then granted access to the protected applications.

A further advantage of the Mobile Security Card is its ability to serve as a highly secure platform for a multitude of mobile applications including online banking, secure access to corporate networks, or electronic ticketing. Software developers can freely access the Mobile Security Card functions and integrate them in new applications in any way that best meets their own security requirements.

The Mobile Security Card is manufactured by Giesecke & Devrient Secure Flash Solutions, a joint venture between G&D and Phison, the Taiwanese flash memory manufacturer, and is marketed by various system integrators, value-added resellers and distributors.