Seoul, August 5, 2013 – Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY) announced that it is supplying a security chip for the first ePassport using the SAC (Supplemental Access Control) protocol. The SAC protocol offers excellent protection against unauthorized access and possible misuse of personal data. The ePassport, issued by the Republic of Kosovo, features the SLE 78 security chip from Infineon. Based on “Integrity Guard” technology, the SLE 78 family offers the highest level of data security over the long term and is therefore ideal for long-term government identification documents. The German company Giesecke & Devrient is manufacturing the ePassport solution for the Republic of Kosovo.

“Infineon’s security chips are a technologically essential element for enhanced data security and enable governments and citizens to have confidence in ePassports and eIDs,” said Carsten Loschinsky, Vice President and General Manager Government ID Chip Cards and Security at Infineon Technologies.

As the security requirements for contactless access to data stored in passports continue to increase, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is recommending the adoption of the SAC protocol. Unlike the previous generation technology, the Basic Access Control (BAC) protocol, SAC is based on asymmetric encryption. In the EU, the adoption of SAC will be mandatory for e-passports issued from December 2014. The Republic of Kosovo, the first European country to comply with the regulation, plans to issue 800,000 e-passports.

According to a recent survey by market research firm IHS, there are currently about 192 million e-passports in use in Europe, and more than 30 million new e-passports are issued each year.

Security chips with Infineon’s “Integrity Guard” digital security technology offer the highest level of protection against data manipulation available today. The passport holder’s personal data is stored and processed in an encrypted manner on the security chip. In addition, the SLE 78 security controller offers even greater computing power thanks to its 16-bit architecture, enabling faster processing of passport holders when crossing borders. More information about this technology is available at http://www.infineon.com/integrityGuard .

Security technologies for a connected world
With its core competencies in security, contactless communication and integrated microcontroller solutions, Infineon offers a comprehensive portfolio of semiconductor security products for a wide range of chip card and security applications. With this expertise, Infineon enhances security in an increasingly connected world, for example in mobile payment, system security and secure certified electronic documents. Infineon has been developing innovative solutions in chip-based security technology for 25 years and has been a global market leader for 15 years.
Further information on Infineon’s chip card and security solutions is available at: www.infineon.com/chip-card-and-security