Prototyping a secure multi-purpose mobile chip

Monday, 14 November, 2005

A high-capacity chip under development is claimed to have the potential to do away with many of the identity documents, credit cards and passwords people have to use each day. The IST program-funded project SM-PAYSOC has created a working prototype of the chip packaged in a smartcard, which in the future could also be incorporated into a USB token or a SIM card.

It allows users to access services and carry out online transactions wirelessly from a mobile phone or PDA or from a desktop PC or public card reader with fixed-line internet access.

User authentication procedures employing public key infrastructure ensure the security of the data on the chip, which could include personal identity information or credit card and bank details.

Unlike most smartcards which have 64 KB or less memory, this token has 16-128 MB of non-volatile memory.

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