Gemalto Launches UpTeq NFC: the EMV-ready Advanced SIM Vault with Unmatched Security and Enhanced Post-issuance Servicing Capabilities

BARCELONA, Spain - Monday, February 27th 2012 [ME NewsWire]

Increase ROI from post-issuance features enabling chip-payment level of protection for handling credentials and downloading applications after it is issued to consumers, and reduced complexity and risks. With the most comprehensive security certifications.

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security, launchesthe new UpTeq NFC SIM vault to offer mobile operators higher return on investment from their NFC roll-outs, and unmatched security for protecting mobile transactions. The powerful and robust new SIM has attained more security certifications from independent authorities and to the highest level possible. This enables mobile operators to install and manage a wealth of new NFC services even after issuing it to end users. This new flagship product from Gemalto combines the remote management expertise and security know-how that Gemalto has acquired from its extensive engagements across key digital security markets worldwide, creating the trusted environment for the mass deployment of mobile contactless services. UpTeq NFC is immediately available on order.
UpTeqNFC sets a major advancement from theconventional SIM card, while maintaining the standard form factors and functional backward compatibility. Designed as a high-end security device to handle the processing, storage and verification of sensitive data, it is fitted with significantly expanded memory capacity for hosting a broad range of NFC services including payment, transport and loyalty programs. It can also generate legally-binding digital signatures and handle e-Health and e-Government services.
UpTeq NFC embeds security software certified with formal assurances from the EAL7 level, the highest Common Criteria level - and runs on an EAL4+ banking card quality tamper-resistant processor. UpTeq NFC has also obtained the most comprehensive set of certifications in the industry, including compliance with globally accepted payment schemes including MasterCard and EMVCo. These highly certified post-issuance and memory management mechanisms comply with the Global Platform and AFSCM standards, and in particular each application is completely isolated from one another, so that security for multiple service providers and privacy for individual users are always ensured.
UpTeqNFC reduces complexity andimproves the ROI for mobile operators deploying NFC programs. Mobile users will be able to enjoy complete ease and convenience of downloading, activating, using and removing new services on their phone in an entirely protected environment. For mobile operators, the secure and certified post-issuance features of UpTeq NFC allow them to mass deploy NFC services without the need to extensively pre-qualify each and every service and application. These features provide the time-to-market advantage and flexibility which is crucial for the ultimate success of mobile NFC deployments. And they provide a solid protection for the operators’ initial investment.
For service providers, UpTeq NFC allows them to manage their own applications lifecycles – securely updating features and benefits at their pace, as if in a shared vault. In this way, mobile operators will efficiently grow their portfolio of NFC services through the addition of new partners over time, with their investments throughout the deployment stages continuously protected and enhanced by the post-issuance capabilities of UpTeq NFC.
“UpTeq NFC is the ideal solution for mass deployment of mobile contactless services with great user experience and the best security that the industry can offer,” commented Philippe Vallée, Executive Vice President of Telecommunications at Gemalto. ”Mobile operators can deploy it in full confidence, today. The capabilities and comprehensive certification that Gemalto bundled in this new flagship high-end device are of critical importance for mobile operators to quickly attract as many partners as early as possible, and turn this strategic platform into a major service differentiator and top line growth opportunity.”
Additional information on UpTeq NFC’s security certifications
The Java CardTM technology implemented in the UpTeq NFC has been Common Criteria certified EAL4+ using formal assurances from the EAL7 level, the highest level of certification possible.
The operating system, compliant with the Global Platform 2.2.1 specification, is also EAL4+ Common Criteria certified conformant to the (U)SIM Java Card Platform V2 protection profile. The software application is EAL4+ Common Criteria certified conformant to the highest banking security requirements.
The OS has achieved the EMVCo scheme certification required by the major international payment associations. The software application and the UICC have both successfully achieved the compliance assessment and security testing certification in accordance with MasterCard’s highest security requirements.
About Gemalto
Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO) is the world leader in digital securitywith 2010 annual revenues of €1.9 billion and over 10,000 employees operating out of 87 offices and 13 Research & Development centers in 45 countries.
Gemalto is at the heart of our evolving digital society. Billions of people worldwide increasingly want the freedom to communicate, travel, shop, bank, entertain, and work—anytime, anywhere, in ways that are convenient, enjoyable and secure. Gemalto delivers on the growing demands for personal mobile services, identity protection, payment security, authenticated online services, cloud computing access, modern transportation, e-healthcare and e-government services. Gemalto does this by providing secure software, a wide range of secure personal devices, and managed services to wireless operators, banks, enterprises and government agencies.
Gemalto is the world leader for electronic passports and identity cards, two-factor authentication devices for online protection, smart credit/debit and contactless payment cards, as well as subscriber identification modules (SIM) and universal integrated circuit cards (UICC) in mobile phones. Also, in the emerging machine-to-machine applications Gemalto is a leading supplier of wireless modules and machine identification modules (MIM). To operate these solutions and remotely manage the software and confidential data contained in the secure devices Gemalto also provides server platforms, consulting, training, and managed services to help its customers achieve their goals.
As the use of Gemalto’s software and secure devices increases with the number of people interacting in the digital and wireless world, the Company is poised to thrive over the coming years.
For more information visit www.gemalto.com, www.justaskgemalto.com, blog.gemalto.com, or follow @gemaltoon Twitter.

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