Infineon security chips for new MyKad

• New generation MyKad to use Infineon`s SLE 78 security technology
• Smartcard ICs moving towards state-of-the-art flash controllers

 
 
GERMANY’S Infineon Technologies announced it is supplying the security chips for Malaysia's new national electronic identity cards.
 
Popularly known as ‘MyKad’, the new generation smartcard features Infineon`s SLE 78 security controller with Infineon’s award winning ‘Integrity Guard’ security technology.
 
Malaysia takes advantage of this new security technology combined with SOLID FLASH for fast deployment capability, the company said in a statement.
 
MyKad is a multi-application national electronic identity card, including biometric identification, which will allow the implementation of numerous additional functions such as driving license, health, ATM, e-signature and e-government services.
 
In past years, Malaysia issued approximately two million new identity cards each year.
 
Identity cards are used for many years and are subject to intense wear. This is why they must meet specific high requirements. In particular, the bearer's personal data should be secured during the entire life of the card, Infineon said.
 
"We have already proven the robustness and reliability of our security chips for identity documents in many projects worldwide,” said Dr Stefan Hofschen, president of the Chip Card & Security Division at Infineon Technologies.
 
“The MyKad program clearly follows the industrial trend to move from MASK ROM based smartcard ICs towards secure and certified state-of-the-art flash controllers like Infineon’s SOLID FLASH products.
 
“Therewith we can fulfil the future challenges of government and payment projects while providing a competitive total cost of ownership,” he claimed.
 
MyKad also uses Infineon’s Integrity Guard security technology. For identification documents with high demands on security and robustness, it offers long lasting security with encrypted Dual CPU-core, setting a new benchmark for secure electronic documents, the company said.
 
With this technology, data is encrypted along the entire data path during processing.
 
The security controller core has two processing units, constantly checking each other’s correct function by utilizing sophisticated error detection.
 
Infineon claimed its SLE 78 product family with Integrity Guard is used in all important e-government applications, such as the electronic health card, the electronic identification card and in residence permits with biometric data.
 
In May, Infineon said it would invest RM4 billion (US$1.3 billion) into its existing operations at the Kulim techology park in Malaysia over the next 10 years.
 
Infinion is building a new wafer fabrication facility named Kulim 2 at Kulim Hi-Tech Park in the northern Malaysian state of Kedah with the capability to produce 300mm wafers. The plant is due to be completed by end of this year, The Star reported.