“S3B512C combines a fingerprint sensor, Secure Element (SE) and Secure Processor, adding an extra layer of authentication and security in payment cards,” said Kenny Han, Vice President of System LSI Marketing at Samsung Electronics. “The S3B512C is primarily designed for payment cards but can also be used in cards that require highly secured authentications such as student or employee identification, membership or building access.”

The new security IC is the industry’s first all-in-one security chip solution that reads biometric information through a fingerprint sensor, stores and authenticates encrypted data with a tamper-proof SE, and analyzes and processes data with a Secure Processor. With the three key functions integrated in a single chip, the S3B512C can help card manufacturers reduce the number of chips required and optimize card design processes for biometric payment cards.

With the new security IC embedded, biometric payment cards will allow faster and safer interactions when making purchases. The biometric authentication removes the need to enter a PIN on a keypad and also prevents fraudulent transactions made with lost or stolen cards as it verifies the cardholder’s identity using a unique and securely stored fingerprint.

The solution’s encrypted fingerprint data is stored in a SE that has received globally accredited certifications such as EMVCo and CC EAL 6+. To safely and accurately verify the user’s identity, the new IC comes with a proprietary fingerprint authentication algorithm and a Secure Processor that extracts and analyzes the unique features of the fingerprint placed on the sensor. Furthermore, the chip’s anti-spoofing technology prevents unauthorized users from circumventing the security system with illegitimate methods such as artificial fingerprints.

Building on Galaxy’s heritage of mobile security leadership, the Galaxy S20 offers an innovative electronic ID (eID) solution to help users easily manage their personal documents and enable seamless identification and authentication. As the first device to meet the German government and the European Union’s strict security requirements, it combines cutting-edge software with world-class security hardware to deliver a new mobile ID solution.

Digital IDs Made Simple

Later this year, with the Galaxy S20, users will be able to safely store their most important ID documents directly on their mobile device.¹ The solution will also give authorities a streamlined process to issue digital IDs.

Users can request to create an eID using just their smartphone. Once relevant authorities verify the request, the eID will be automatically stored and isolated in a secure location on the device.

Thanks to its end-to-end encryption system, the registration process is not just simple but secure. Only the ID issuing organization and authorized device can access a user’s personal data.

The Ultimate Digital Safe

To give users peace of mind when creating and using eIDs, Samsung built a storage component that meets strict, internationally-recognized security standards – the embedded Secure Element (eSE).

As the security hardware behind eID, the eSE acts as a digital safe to vault confidential data on the Galaxy S20. The chip is carefully designed to prevent malicious actors from stealing eID information even if they have physical access to the smartphone.

The Galaxy S20 has achieved CC EAL 6+ certification², one of the highest standards for hardware security. As the eSE meets the demands of the eIDAS, the EU regulation on electronic identification and trusted services for electronic transactions, it allows other EU member states to adopt secure and eIDAS compliant eID solutions in the future.

Convenient yet safe, the eID solution is a smart way to make wallets thinner and ID cards more secure. With the development of eID and eSE, Samsung has set a new standard for ID management in the digital age, marking the beginning of a new era of digital identification.

¹ Subject to service availability

² Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 6+