Giesecke & Devrient extends innovation leadership in security solutions

Examples of such applications include innovative payment solutions and interconnection of machines. Security requirements around traditional cash-based transactions and ID systems also continue to grow. 

At the presentation of its annual results, Giesecke & Devrient highlighted strategic solution areas in which the company aims to further extend its market-leading position. In addition to banknote-related innovations, the company’s portfolio is being increasingly aligned to meet the requirements of users in the digital world. It is not enough to focus solely on maximum security. To achieve the huge gains in convenience and flexibility that are a feature of many of these digital solutions, it is also important to ensure simple data management and intuitive use.

A current example of this can be found in the area of NFC payment. Using multi-application NFC SIM cards, this technology allows regular cell phones and smartphones to be upgraded to enable easy, contactless payments. SmartTrust Portigo from Giesecke & Devrient, an electronic wallet that received the Sesames Award in the e-Transactions category at the 2012 CARTES payments show, is a complete solution that users can deploy as an app. In the NFC arena, G&D is currently involved in more than 20 major commercial projects worldwide, with partners including the Royal Bank of Scotland and Telefónica. 

Another example is M2M communication (machine-to-machine). The SIMs installed in machines for this purpose can be activated, personalized, and managed over the cell phone network using the SmartTrust AirON subscription management platform from Giesecke & Devrient. This avoids the need to switch cards or have wired access to the device. Accordingly, a SIM can be installed in a vehicle, for example, and the network operator changed via remote access when the vehicle is sold. 

G&D is cooperating with leading car manufacturers and network operators in this field and its technologies support the M2M World Alliance’s work on the rollout of global M2M solutions. In addition, the company is working with Vodafone Deutschland on mobile security solutions for the corporate sector and has started a project with Symantec to develop secure one-time passwords for smartphones.

Alongside these developments, technologies from Giesecke & Devrient deliver ongoing security innovation in the banknote segment. In addition to holograms, watermarks, foils, and threads, this increasingly involves the introduction of completely new features, such as MAGnite. The underlying principle here is that special color pigments become aligned in a magnetic field, e.g. when placed near the speaker of a cell phone, rendering them visible. With NotaScan Mag, G&D has also developed a sensor that sets new standards for the measurement of magnetic properties in banknotes. G&D offers high-performance banknote processing systems as well, such as the BPS M5, which can handle up to 33 banknotes a second and significantly boost throughput in cash centers. 

Anti-counterfeit protection for ID documents is also of key importance. As the technology leader in this field, Giesecke & Devrient repeatedly demonstrates its capabilities with new solutions that are in many cases unique worldwide. In 2012, for example, G&D became the first manufacturer to be certified by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) in relation to tough new requirements for electronic passports and residence permits. 

Giesecke & Devrient products already support the PACE (Password Authenticated Connection Establishment) protocol, which creates a highly secure connection between a contactless chip in the ID document and the electronic reader. The PACE protocol becomes mandatory in EU countries from 2014.