"Safe Payment with Semiconductors"…Samsung Electronics Launches Fingerprint Authentication IC for Credit Cards

Integration of Hardware Security Chip, Fingerprint Sensor, and Security Processor Functions
Simplified Internal Circuit Design of 'Biometric Authentication Card'
Security Proven by International Security Certification and Test Completion

One-chip fingerprint authentication IC for biometric authentication cards released by Samsung Electronics. Payment is only possible after verifying identity by placing a finger on the fingerprint recognition sensor attached to the card surface.
[Photo by Samsung Electronics]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Samsung Electronics announced on the 25th that it will launch a fingerprint authentication integrated circuit (IC) for 'biometric authentication cards' that can recognize the fingerprints of credit card users.

A biometric authentication card is a card embedded with a semiconductor that can read and authenticate the user's fingerprint information. There is a small sensor on the surface of the credit card that recognizes fingerprints, and the card can only be used for payment after verifying the identity by placing a finger on it. Samsung Electronics simplified the internal circuit design by integrating the hardware security chip (SE), fingerprint sensor, and security processor, which were previously installed separately on cards, into a single IC chip.

The fingerprint authentication IC includes anti-hacking technology to prevent system access with forged fingerprints. Samsung Electronics explained that even if the card is stolen or lost, others cannot use it carelessly, ensuring excellent security. Currently, overseas markets mainly use 'MS cards,' which swipe magnetic stripes on terminals. Using credit cards equipped with fingerprint authentication ICs can also reduce damage caused by forgery and alteration. Samsung Electronics' fingerprint authentication IC has passed international certifications such as the biometric evaluation (BEPS) by Mastercard, proving its security.

Global investment bank UBS predicted that fingerprint authentication cards will grow at an average annual rate of 146%, accounting for about 15% of the total card market by 2026. Especially with the post-COVID-19 era approaching and overseas travel becoming freer, the industry expects travelers to use fingerprint authentication cards more frequently locally. Demand is also expected to expand in the future to include resident registration cards, driver's licenses, employee IDs, and digital currency wallets.

In line with this, Samsung Electronics, Samsung Card, and Mastercard signed a business agreement for fingerprint authentication cards last year. Samsung Electronics is responsible for developing and supplying fingerprint authentication IC chips, while Samsung Card and Mastercard are respectively promoting the domestic and international adoption of fingerprint authentication cards.

Han Gyu-han, Executive Director of the Marketing Team at Samsung Electronics' System LSI Business Division, said, "Through the fingerprint authentication IC product, we aim to collaborate with various global card companies not only domestically but also in overseas markets," adding, "We plan to strengthen our position as a leading company in the rapidly growing fingerprint authentication card market."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.