| 18th February 2005 - They're smart, they're small,
they store digital content more securely than ever before
and they're coming soon for mobile phones, media players,
PDAs, notebooks and a host of other portable devices.
A unique pairing of flash memory storage and smart card
security, secure memory cards are a major advance over
their conventional counterparts. They mean that for
the first time pocket-sized, removable storage can be
used for sensitive information - like business, healthcare
or government data - in complete confidence. Nobody
can access stored information without the right numeric
or biometric key - a fingerprint for example.
And according to Aspects Software, independent developer
of the software and cryptography behind the innovation,
the devices will be in the pockets - and mobiles - of
hundreds of millions of users within a few years.
"Flash memory is everywhere from cameras and MP3
players through to corporate PDAs and laptops. It's
just so convenient." says Aspects chief technologist
and VP of product marketing Chris Caruk. "But until
now there's been zero security in the hardware. Anyone
finding, borrowing or stealing a flash card has had
open access to what it holds."
The new cards put smart card silicon - as used in secure
payment and ID cards - between the flash memory and
the outside world. Secure the smart card element and
the data is secured too. Previous security schemes have
had to rely on the host device - the phone or PDA for
example - to provide protection.
At a cost similar to normal flash cards, secure memory
cards will be backward compatible with all devices that
use SD (secure digital) format storage. But to take
advantage of the full security potential a host device
must be SDIO compatible, as is much recent and new mobile
electronic equipment.
In addition to storing confidential information, secure
memory cards are also seen as key to emerging digital
rights management schemes for electronic content. Digital
music, video and e-books for example can be conveniently
stored and moved, yet remain restricted to purchasers.
Secret behind the secure memory card is an embedded
Java Card Operating System. Developed by Aspects Software,
OS755 is also available for SIM cards, finance cards
and the new generation biometric/ID cards. Tight, high
performance, fully standards-compliant, and easily adapted
to new silicon, OS755 is the only one to allow silicon
vendors to go to market with a new card in weeks rather
than many months.
About Aspects Software
Aspects Software (www.aspectssoftware.com) provides
independent operating system and test/development technology
for SIM/USIM, finance, ID, biometric and other smart
cards. Dominant supplier to Europe's mobile industry
with more than 75% of the market, Aspects' 20-year track
record, 100+ man/years Java card/embedded systems expertise
and Common Criteria/FIPS security experience is unrivalled.
The company's lead in secure multimedia card technology
is seen as pivotal to growth in mobile content.
Back
to News Reports
|
