HID Global chip OS for securing biometric digital ID documents certified EAL5+ for NXP platform

A new addition to the SOMA chip operating system from HID Global, which secures biometrics and other data in electronic documents, has been certified to the Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 5+ (EAL5+) for NXP Semiconductors new SmartMX3 microcontroller.

The certification is the first in the industry for a native COS on the SmartMX3 platform to EAL5+, according to the announcement.

HID SOMA is used in identification schemes from the ICAO’s eMRTD to digital signature applications, the company says, and has been found a top performer in international interoperability tests.

“This accomplishment is inline with our commitment to proposing our renowned SOMA technologies with an extended array of leading hardware platforms from which our customers can choose,” states Manuel Deloche, VP of product management, Product Marketing and Software Engineering, Citizen Identity with HID Global. “We are also proud to be the first ID solution provider to port and certify the SOMA COS on the newest P71 microcontroller, for which NXP provided excellent support.”

“We are pleased that HID has certified their HID SOMA COS operating system on NXP’s SmartMX3 platform. The successful collaboration between NXP and HID reflects both companies’ commitment to providing secure e-government solutions,” comments NXP Semiconductors Marketing Director of Secure Identification Pierre Rouillac. “This certification also establishes that the combination of our NXP P71D321 security controller and the HID SOMA COS has successfully passed the rigorous common criteria security testing.”

The HID SOMA line-up also integrates with HID Integrale digital document-issuance and lifecycle management suite.

Latest generation Elyctis document and fingerprint scanner now available

For those attempting to read digital identity documents in mobile settings, the latest version of the ID BOX One 341 all-in-one digital document reader has been launched by Elyctis.

The ID BOX One 341 reads the machine-readable zones and other fields of digital ID credentials like the passports and ID cards that use HID SOMA and store embedded biometrics, and also provides a biometric fingerprint sensor supplied by Suprema for identity verification. Versions with different fingerprint sensors are also available to support specific customer requirements.

It can be operated with one hand, and brings mobility to ID control applications which previously required a fixed operating location, according to the company.

The device consists of a sleeve with all of the above sensors, which can be connected to any Android or Windows smartphone or tablet.

“The ID BOX One 341, part of our ID BOX One – Handheld Series brings utmost flexibility to our customers,” declares Elyctis CEO Alexandre Joly. “Border control and police officers will praise its flexibility and efficiency while organizations such as airports, car rental offices and the hospitality industry will find in the ID BOX One 341 new means to streamline their operations.”

Like all scanners in the series, the ID BOX One 341 reads documents inserted with swipes or additional movements.

Article Topics

biometric data  |  biometrics  |  certification  |  digital identity  |  document reader  |  eID  |  Elyctis  |  HID Global  |  identity document  |  NXP Semiconductors