A security controller made by Infineon Technologies can protect biometric and demographic data held in e-passports from conventional and quantum computers, a report from Biometric Updates shared.
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This makes it the first technology that ensures electronic passports that meet the security needs of the quantum computing era.
The prototype uses a quantum computer-resistant version of the Extended Access Control (EAC) protocol that secures the passport holder’s biometric information during authentication.
It also enables contactless data transfer between the e-passport and checkpoint terminals.
The updated methods being used in e-passports are also compatible with current established structures.
The technology uses cryptographic methods Dilithium and Kyber, which were selected by the U.S. National Standardisation Institute (NSIT) in 2022 after a worldwide competition for post-quantum cryptography, the report shared.
Currently being displayed at Trustech, the technology was developed with Fraunhofer Institute for Applied and Integrated Security (AISEC) and Bundesdruckerei (German Federal Printing Office).
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