Swipe cards, swipe phones, swipe watches...contactless transactions are everywhere, but who will protect their security?

To reduce the risk of fraud and theft, contactless transactions need to be protected. This is done to protect private data and thus minimize various threats. Therefore, 16 years ago, we launched a dedicated IC family called MIFARE Secure Access Module (SAM), and since then, several improved versions have been launched to increase the security of contactless transactions.

MIFARE SAM is a secure microcontroller based on an IC equipped with a dedicated operating system and feature set for storing and using various cryptographic keys and their processing methods. When used in combination with MIFARE contactless ICs (such as tickets or RFID key cards), MIFARE SAM can be integrated into contactless readers (such as POS terminals, toll booths or door locks) to provide additional protection for the storage and communication functions of security keys, thereby enhancing transaction security. MIFARE SAM can help establish a secure connection so that contactless devices can securely perform sensitive transactions while protecting the security of these transactions.

Specifically designed to work with NXP’s broad portfolio of contactless MIFARE ICs , including MIFARE DESFire, MIFARE Plus, MIFARE Ultralight and even SmartMX solutions, the MIFARE SAM is now available in its third generation.

In scenarios where secure data handling, authentication and encryption are required, MIFARE SAM AV3 helps to enhance overall system security. The connection between MIFARE SAM AV3 and the reader is protected using security protocols based on symmetric encryption (TDEA and AES) or PKI RSA asymmetric encryption. These protocols comply with the latest standards and therefore help to protect the confidentiality and integrity of the data.

MIFARE SAM AV3 also offers a special X-mode. This mode allows the device to manage tasks related to RF communication, resulting in simpler design, less code, and reduced system complexity. Only the encryption functions required for secure transactions need to be placed in the MIFARE SAM AV3, reducing communication time and simplifying the design, thereby speeding up deployment. Operating in X-mode can also improve the performance of the reader, thereby speeding up the communication speed between tags, readers and SAMs.

Because the MIFARE SAM is designed as a companion component to protect MIFARE contactless ICs, it is able to support applications that use these ICs for contactless operations, such as transportation ticketing, access control, loyalty points and small-value payments.

But our recently launched MIFARE SAM AV3 goes far beyond MIFARE and also supports the NXP DNA family of products in the NTAG (NFC), ICODE (HF) and UCODE (UHF) IC families.

• For example, because the UCODE DNA IC offers a read range of up to 15 meters, it can be used in RAIN RFID-based systems to support vehicle-related applications such as Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) and road toll payment.

• As another example, MIFARE SAM AV3 is available with NXP I CODE DNA ICs, enabling the use of RFID to read tags at ranges up to 1.2 meters and automate supply chain tasks, such as identifying consumable items.

• Additionally, when used with NXP NTAG DNA ICs, MIFARE SAM AV3 can work at close range to accomplish other supply chain-related tasks, such as identification and authentication of raw materials and spare parts.

As shown in the figure below, MIFARE SAM AV3 is part of NXP's extensive system security portfolio. For example, TrustZone functionality for microcontrollers provides the basis for secure operation. For sensitive, connected applications in the Internet of Things (IoT), NXP recommends using the EdgeLock SE050 plug-and-play secure element, which uses enhanced CC EAL 6+ standard-based security protection to resist attack threats.