Gemalto demo turns NFC phones into convenient identification devices for the workplace

Rise in BYOD presents opportunity for all credentials to be securely integrated in the mobile handset

Johannesburg, March 4, 2013  - Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security, is demonstrating innovative NFC applications at Mobile World Congress 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. This proof of concept for enterprise applications transform mobile phones into secure and convenient identification and authentication devices for the workplace. Utilizing the company’s proven UpTeq NFC SIM, Gemalto’s experimentation enables secure and fast entry to buildings as well as provide strong authentication on PCs, laptops, IT networks and other company services with nothing more than a tap of the phone.

With the user’s unique credentials protected by state-of-the-art smart card security, the mobile phone becomes the key to greater flexibility and efficiency in many everyday tasks. Gemalto’s UpTeq NFC SIM and embedded software support numerous industry standards for contactless access, but these applications extend the benefits of NFC technology far beyond building access control. 

Downloadable apps showcased at MWC 2013 include Gemalto’s Password Companion, a secure password management application securely embedded in the SIM that replaces low privacy and time-consuming log-in procedures for computing devices and networks with contactless confirmation using the mobile phone for authentication. NFC phones can also be used for booking meeting rooms, controlling access to secure office printers, and making payments at vending machines and canteens.

“Smart phones and contactless cards are some of the most widely used technologies in the enterprise today,” said Frédéric Vasnier, Senior Vice President of Telecommunications at Gemalto. ”In addition, the workplace requires a high level of security for physical and logical access. Combining expertise in all these areas, Gemalto is committed to innovation in domains where security, speed and convenience are crucial and “Enterprise” is a perfect use case for new NFC applications.”