Atmel Introduces High Security Smart Card IC for Low Density Banking and Government Applications.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 2, 2002 Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq:ATML ATML Automatic Test Markup Language ATML Automated Test Markup Language ) announced today the introduction of its AT05SC1604R Smart Card IC for production and general release. This 4K EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) A rewritable memory chip that holds its content without power. Although EEPROMs spawned flash memory, EEPROMs are byte addressable at the write level, whereas flash chips must erase a block of bytes before rewriting. HC05 microcontroller having 16K ROM and 1K RAM, is targeted at single application or multi-function applications requiring cost effective small memory but high security, such as banking and government applications. Examples include credit, debit, electronic purse and personal identification cards. Introduction coincides with the product being granted security certification to ISO- iso- or is- pref. 1. Equal; uniform: isobar. 2. Isomeric: isopropyl. 3. 15408, more commonly known as Common Criteria, to EAL4 Augmented level in accordance with Protection Profile PP-9806. The device has already achieved Level 3 Capability approval from Visa earlier this year and has also received approval for an EMV banking application in Europe. Ian Duthie, Atmel's marketing manager for Secure ICs, commented "The AT05SC1604R adds to Atmel's growing list of products certified for high security applications by industry recognized third party evaluators, strengthening Atmel's position as a leading vendor of Smart Card ICs and high security products. The '1604R', employing the cost effective HC05 core, provides a migratory path for older HC05 designs as well as offering new higher levels of security for new applications at the low density levels." "With more than a billion magnetic strip bank cards destined des·tine tr.v. des·tined, des·tin·ing, des·tines 1. To determine beforehand; preordain: a foolish scheme destined to fail; a film destined to become a classic. 2. to become smart cards over the next few years, Visa and MasterCard are encouraging early roll-out plans for credit and debit card migration to EMV smart cards," Ian Duthie went on to say. "Many banks are looking to start with a low entry level product with a view to migrating to more sophisticated and multi-application products on second or third generation introductions. To meet this need, the banks must have confidence that the hardware can support their security concerns at whatever entry level they choose. Atmel smart card ICs give them this confidence." About Common Criteria Certification The Common Criteria or ISO (1) See ISO speed. (2) (International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, www.iso.ch) An organization that sets international standards, founded in 1946. The U.S. member body is ANSI. 15408 standard was developed to incorporate three similar but independently created Security Evaluation Criteria known as ITSEC See NCSC. (Europe), the Orange Book (USA) and CTCPEC CTCPEC Canadian Trusted Computer Product Evaluation Criteria (Canada). ISO15408 security evaluations are performed by independent, accredited accredited recognition by an appropriate authority that the performance of a particular institution has satisfied a prestated set of criteria. accredited herds cattle herds which have achieved a low level of reactors to, e.g. Evaluation Facilities licensed by an appropriate Certification Body. In France, where the AT05SC1604R evaluation was performed, the Certification Body is DCSSI DCSSI Direction Centrale de la Securite des Systemes d'Information (Direction Centrale de la Securite des Systemes d'Information), a government organization that reports to the National Defense General Secretary. The evaluation was carried out by LETI, based in the Grenoble area, on behalf of the DCSSI who awarded the certification. About Visa Capability Approval In granting a level of capability, Visa acknowledges that with well written secure software, the combined silicon and software embedded in a card, can provide an end product certifiable cer·ti·fi·a·ble adj. 1. That can or must be certified. Used of infectious, industrial, and other diseases that are required by law to be reported to health authorities. 2. to Visa's requirements. The silicon on its own is only one component of the product which, if not protected by equally secure software, may result in an end product not meeting the security level required for a given application. Since it is a component only, not a product, certification is not granted for Smart Card ICs but equally important without achieving a capability approval level for silicon, card providers cannot develop with confidence on a given silicon platform. About Atmel Founded in 1984, Atmel Corporation is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe. Atmel designs, manufactures and markets worldwide, advanced logic, mixed-signal, non-volatile memory and RF semiconductors. Atmel is also a leading provider of system-level integration semiconductor solutions using CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) Pronounced "c-moss." The most widely used integrated circuit design. It is found in almost every electronic product from handheld devices to mainframes. , BiCMOS, SiGe and high-voltage BCDMOS process technologies. Information Atmel's AT05SC1604R product information may be retrieved at: http://www.atmel.com/atmel/acrobat/1522s.pdf. Requests may be sent via e-mail to smartcard@atmel.com or by visiting Atmel's website at www.atmel.com. Note to Editors: Atmel, the Atmel logo and combinations thereof and others contained herein, are trademarks of Atmel Corporation. Terms and product names in this document may be the trademarks of others. |
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