Crypto tool strengthens 3G defences
Source: ZDNet UK
Discretix Technologies has announced that its CryptoCell technology is to be used in future GPRS and third-generation (3G) wireless handsets from Ericsson. The move should lead to greater security for wireless applications on Ericsson smartphones.
"Most mobile phone applications already involve some level of security," said Sariel Engel, wireless product manager at Discretix. Even GSM voice calls are encrypted, but applications such as online banking, e-commerce and access to corporate systems via virtual private networks (VPNs) require a greater level of security, the firm said.
Bjorn Ekelund, Ericsson's vice president for technology development, said, "We see power and cost-efficient security solutions as key features in our open platforms for 2.5G and 3G wireless terminals."
The CryptoCell solution consists of a hardware CryptoEngine and software components. Higher-level protocols are implemented in software, while the hardware performs compute-intensive tasks such as those involving cryptographic algorithms. Ericsson has a licence to incorporate Discretix's technology into the baseband chipset that interfaces phones to a wireless network.
