In today’s ever-more connected society, authenticating identities and protecting data is essential to keep users safe and enable services in personal devices, connected objects, the cloud and in between.
Two-factor authentication plays a key role in such protection strategies, and can be implemented as an easy to use solution using advanced smart card technology. Certificate-based technology generates and stores credentials such as private keys, passwords, and digital certificates inside the protected environment of the smart card chip.
In one such solution, users must supply both their personal authenticator device and password to authenticate, providing a critical second level of security beyond simple passwords alone to protect valuable digital business resources.
This innovatively-designed two-factor authenticator solution comes in the form of a USB stick. GCT is similarly innovative, being the first to market with a nano SIM connector – a product which is now in full production. This motivated a leading player in data security technology to partner with GCT
The connector allows use of a SIM to hold certificates for encryption purposes. The SIM’s architecture and ciphering provides better security than conventional chip memory, as well as being more cost-effective. This use of a SIM for memory capacity rather than wireless capability is almost unique.
While being an economical solution, the SIM8051 offers a durability of 1,500 cycles, with an operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C. The housing material is LCP with UL94V-0 flame retardant rating.
Connector production is backed by extensive international support. Dealing directly with the customer in two different locations – Europe for design and Asia for production, GCT’s local presence in these markets was also instrumental to the smooth running of the project.
