SkyeTek Introduces Security for RFID Privacy Protection

July 17, 2006

SkyeTek Inc. unveiled security technology for protecting the integrity and privacy of broad radio frequency identification (RFID) implementations in high frequency (HF) and ultra high frequency (UHF).

SkyeTek's multi-frequency Advanced Universal Reader Architecture (AURA) implements the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for privacy protection. DES and Triple-DES are supported for legacy applications already employing forms of the Digital Encryption Standard (DES).

AURA also encompasses the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) and MD5 to provide industrial strength hashing to protect against tag tampering and counterfeiting. These security features are accessible through ReaderWare, AURA's software layer, which allows customers to develop their secure, embedded RFID application independent of tag, protocol or frequency.

"The benefits of embedded RFID applications are immense - however, the industry must address legitimate privacy threats in a cost effective manner before widespread adoption can occur," said Rob Balgley, CEO of SkyeTek.

The security features come standard in SkyeTek's new reader modules, the M2 HF SkyeModule and M9 UHF SkyeModule. Both readers allow customers to utilize industry standard HF and UHF tags for security-intensive applications, including tags that have already been deployed by customers. The M2 and M9 also provide support for proprietary encryption algorithms and their associated tags.

"As RFID adoption continues to grow across nearly every vertical market, data security solutions are becoming more critical," said Drew Nathanson, RFID practice director at Venture Development Corp. "The ability to use open, standards-based security solutions with any commercially available tag will facilitate wide-scale RFID adoption for both the enterprise and consumer, particularly in applications related to patient safety, contactless payment, personal identification, and customer loyalty."

Source: SkyeTek Inc.