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News
Issue #2002 - 05
(February 2002)
(Updated Feb.
6, 2002)
TECHNOLOGY
Security Boost for GPRS and 3G
Wireless Platforms
Realizing that security is
key to the future of mobile banking or mobile commerce, Discretix
and Ericsson have announced that Discretix’s security solution for
mobile phones will be implemented into the handset maker’s future
GPRS and 3G wireless mobile phone platforms.
Discretix’s CryptoCell embedded into Ericsson’s next
generations mobile phones will ensure the highest level of security
especially for revenue generating applications, such as mobile
banking, mobile-commerce transactions, and access to corporate
networks via VPN.
"We see cost efficient security solutions as key
features in our open platforms for 2.5G and 3G wireless
terminals," said Björn Ekelund, vice president technology
development, Ericsson Mobile Platforms. "Our goal is to offer
the most interoperable platform solutions and to support complex,
information sensitive, end-to-end applications."
The CryptoCell based on Discretix’s CryptoEngine is a VLSI
(very large-scale integration)-based security solution, which
enables secure Internet transaction access from mobile devices.
Since the CryptoCell engine is built into the silicon of the
chip, it requires a minimal amount of processing power and has a
very small memory footprint. The use of algorithms within the
silicon hardware eliminates the risks associated with viruses or
hackers breaking into the system, the company said.
For more information: http://www.discretix.com
Mobileinfo Comments & Advisory: Initially,
we had a concern that this might be a proprietary solution. However, we
have been assured by the vendor in Israel that it will work with most
popular wireless security standards, including WTLS, IPSec, RSA, ECC,
DES, etc. Ericsson's
endorsement will help Discretix . Processing of security algorithms and
avoiding hackers to creep into security software itself are issues with
pure software-based solutions. Embedding kernel of security software in
silicon ( through hardware acceleration of common mathematical
algorithms) does help in making it faster and more secure. Therefore, we
see a legitimate role for using Discretix's IP in implementing security
software. Enterprise implementers, handheld device OS developers and
network operators should test and ensure that there are no hits in the
server side security software, even though it is supposed to be
transparent.
Note: This news release may contain
forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in
developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology
architectures. All trademarks used in this summary are
the property of their respective owners.
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