Samsung’s new security chip adds a fingerprint scanner to payment cards

Zohaib Ahmed — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 11:36:34 +0000

Samsung Electronics today unveiled a new fingerprint security IC (integrated circuit) for payment cards. The S3B512C 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 data with a Secure Processor.

The bundling up of three separate functions into a single chip will help card manufacturers reduce the number of chips required and optimize card design processes for biometric payment cards.

Cards with the new chip will allow faster and safer payments as it will do away with the need to enter a PIN on a keypad. Chances of fraudulent transactions made with stolen cards will also be significantly reduced.

Encrypted fingerprint data is stored in a SE certified for EMVCo and Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 6+ (CC EAL 6+). A proprietary fingerprint identification algorithm works together with the Secure Processor to safely and accurately verify the user’s identity. There’s also an anti-spoofing technology put in place that prevents unauthorized users from bypassing the security system through means like artificial fingerprints.

“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.”

Samsung S3B512C Archives - Gizmochina

Samsung’s new security chip adds a fingerprint scanner to payment cards