Making RFID more secure
14 November 2007
News
Information from Frost & Sullivan Technical Insights
In recent years, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags have been finding favour among manufacturers and retailers as a type of next-generation bar-coding system. When queried with a low-power radio signal, a tag - which can exist as either an active or passive device - replies with a brief transmission suitable for challenge/response identification.
The tiny devices are inexpensive, and can be implanted in an object and then read at a distance without contact. While many applications of RFID are relatively low risk, such as providing inventory tracking in warehouse environments, other applications, such as contactless payment systems and personal identification cards and passport control, require a higher level of security.
In this light, Frost & Sullivan has taken note of a proposal from a team of researchers for a novel way to provide a 'fingerprint' for a given RFID tag and to simply generate true random numbers on such a device for cryptographic purposes.
"We believe we are the first to show how a common existing circuit can both identify specific tags and protect their data," said Wayne Burleson, one of the authors of the report. "Our measurements show that initialisation of SRAM produces a physical fingerprint. The frequent powering up of passive tags is continually generating fingerprints."
The fingerprint arises from minute variations in the way dopants are distributed within any static random access memory (SRAM) cell. The differences in dopant distribution lead to differences in threshold voltage that can be used as a fingerprint, the researchers found. Physically random noise produced during device operation can be used as a random number source.
"The low cost of RFID circuits constrains their functionality," Burleson said, explaining that it is difficult to incorporate complicated cryptographic circuitry into a device that is designed to be implanted into the packaging of ordinary household products. Making use of the new technique, which the team calls FERNS (fingerprint extraction and random numbers in SRAM) allows developers to gain functionality without needing to make the device itself more complicated.
For more information contact Patrick Cairns, Frost & Sullivan, +27 (0)21 680 3274, [email protected]
Further reading:
From the editor’s desk: Windows 10’s end of support arrives bringing industrial risks
Technews Publishing
News
By the time you read this column, support for non-LTSC editions of Windows 10 will have ended, officially having their last day on 14 October 2025. This means no more security patches, feature updates,
...
Read more...
Electronic News Digest
News
A brief synopsis of current global news relating to the electronic engineering fields with regards to company finances, general company news, and engineering technologies.
Read more...
Correction: Marijana Abt, Rebound Electronics
News
In the August issue of
Dataweek magazine, the article titled ‘Celebrating innovation, leadership, and the next generation’ featured Marijana Abt, senior account manager at Rebound Electronics. Owing
...
Read more...
Trasna and RF Design announce distribution agreement
RF Design
News
Trasna and RF Design have announced a strategic distribution agreement for cellular IoT solutions which will ensure seamless availability of Trasna’s cellular connectivity solutions.
Read more...
Local partnership puts demand-side management to work in South Africa
News
Sensor Networks has partnered with European demand-side management specialist ThermoVault to bring advanced load-shifting capabilities to one of the country’s biggest energy consumers: the household geyser.
Read more...
Hisense SA launches year-long learnership programme for youth
News
Hisense SA’s manufacturing plant in Atlantis recently welcomed 100 young people from the local community, to embark on a year-long learnership and skills development programme.
Read more...
Comtest hosts channel partners
Comtest
News
Comtest, together with FLUKE, recently set the stage for an unforgettable afternoon as they welcomed over 80 Channel Partners to their annual celebration of excellence.
Read more...
RS South Africa and Qhubeka empower learners through the gift of mobility
RS South Africa
News
Through its bicycle donation initiative, 354 bicycles have been distributed to date, empowering students to access education more easily by reducing the physical and economic barriers posed by long daily commutes.
Read more...
Deca and SST announce strategic collaboration
News
The collaboration provides customers with a modular, memory-centric foundation for advanced multi-die architectures.
Read more...
Specialised Exhibitions transitions to new name: Montgomery Group Africa
News
As part of a strategic move to streamline operations, strengthen regional alignment, and support long-term growth, Specialised Exhibitions has transitioned to a new name: Montgomery Group Africa.
Read more...
printer friendly version