Smart Card Security Certification Product Includes Hardware And Software November 2001 Issue Published Date: November 01, 2001
A smart card solution that combines GemplusÕ embedded software and STMicroelectronicsÕ ST19 hardware platform has earned security certification under the new ISO15408 standard, also known as Common Criteria, to level of EAL4 Augmented. This ST19 platform and embedded secure software are well-suited for use in smart cards for telecommunications and banking applications. The ST19 family of microcomputer-based smart card ICs uses what is touted as state-of-the-art memory management techniques that ease secure implementation of multiple applications on a single smart card. According to STMicroelectronics, ST19 devices have shown outstanding resistance to the attack known as Differential Power Analysis, to which other designs have reportedly proven vulnerable. Based around an 8-bit MCU core that supports native and high-level language code, the ST19 architecture also supports custom plug-ins that allow users to specify needs and implement custom circuitry, such as specialized signal processing or security features. The ST19Õs smart card platform operates around a central circuit block containing user ROM (up to 32 KB), RAM (up to 960 bytes), EEPROM (up to 64 KB), a timing generator, a security controller, an unpredictable number generator, and the system CPU. For more technical information and pricing on the smart card products, contact STMICROELECTRONICS, Lexington, MA. (781) 861-2650.
