Fingerprint information stored in the card security element
Easier than standard PIN-based EMV transactions
Infineon Technologies and Next Biometrics announced on the 14th that they have jointly developed a biometric payment card reference design.

This reference platform includes all the components needed to develop and manufacture smart cards featuring fingerprint sensors, enabling card manufacturers to shorten development times and bring products to market faster.

The use of biometrics for two-factor authentication on payment cards will be a major innovation, following signature, embossed, magnetic stripe, and secure chip technologies. Cardholders can authenticate using the fingerprint sensor embedded in the card, eliminating the need to enter a PIN or present identification. Fingerprint information is stored on the card's secure element and not shared with third parties, protecting user privacy. Fingerprint authentication is faster and easier than standard PIN-based EMV transactions. It also helps prevent counterfeiting, especially when using multi-function cards for social security payments.

This biometric card reference design includes a biometric module, a secure element, an operating system capable of running biometric and payment applets, and a validated lamination technique for card manufacturing. Using this system solution, secure biometric smart card payments can be implemented, significantly reducing the false rejection rate (FRR) to less than 1 percent. The FRR is an indicator of how accurately a user's fingerprint is recognized and how often it is falsely rejected.

“Infineon is committed to enabling secure and convenient payment experiences with fingerprint recognition,” said Bjoern Scharfen, Head of Payment & Wearables at Infineon. “As a turnkey solution, the reference platform we developed jointly with Next will accelerate biometric innovation in the smart card industry, enabling easier and more secure digital transactions.”