Upgrading Access Control Systems with CIPURSE™-Based Security

Airports around the world are places that require the highest level of security. Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) has introduced a new solution based on the CIPURSE™ security standard to strengthen its airport access control system for employees.

Infineon Technologies (Korea CEO Lee Seung-soo) supplies security chips for electronic access control cards issued to airport employees. This new system is already in use at 3 of the 14 civilian airports operated by KAC, and is planned to be additionally deployed at other airports in the future.

Thomas Rosteck, Vice President of Infineon's Chip Card and Security Business, stated: "In airport management and operations, the security and safety of passengers and employees are paramount. CIPURSE is currently the most comprehensive open security standard of the most advanced technology. The market no longer accepts solutions using proprietary technologies. To continuously improve the security, flexibility, and cost efficiency of access control systems, open standards that are universally accepted across the industry are essential, making CIPURSE a rational choice for upgrading existing systems."

CIPURSE™ is an internationally recognized open standard that enables rapid deployment of access control solutions with superior security, interoperability, and cost efficiency. CIPURSE is based on the AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) algorithm, which is used by numerous governments to protect classified information. Migration from conventional RFID solutions to advanced CIPURSE security standards can be accomplished smoothly and easily.

The ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) defines requirements for airport access control in Annex 17. According to these requirements, systems must be established to verify the identity of personnel and vehicles to prevent unauthorized access within departure gates and security-restricted areas. This requires electronically verifying the identity of thousands of airport employees and granting access permissions based on specific security zones.

Infineon's SLS 32TLC100 CIPURSE security controller, which has obtained Common Criteria EAL5+ (high) certification, has been adopted for KAC's new access control cards. This chip's data transmission speed is faster than the industry standard transaction time of approximately 0.2 seconds. Therefore, users can access their work areas quickly, conveniently, and reliably.

Users' personal information is stored securely on the chip. To enter specific airport areas, employees simply present their card to a contactless reader at the door or gate. Subsequently, this system enables access through a biometric authentication process.

Infineon provides a comprehensive portfolio of security chips for CIPURSE-based systems ranging from access control to transportation ticketing.