Aspects Software achieves FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Certification

14th March 2006 — Smart card software and security specialist Aspects are pleased to announce that it has achieved FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certification – the de facto cryptography standard adopted by US federal agencies. Following independent laboratory testing, the Aspects OS755 for XMC, a form factor for secure memory cards, has been FIPS certified by NIST (the National Institute of Standards and Technology www.nist.gov).

Aspects’ OS755 for XMC platform is a Java Card and Global Platform compliant operating system. As a FIPS 140-2 validated product it provides authentication mechanisms using approved algorithms and gives controlled access to cryptographic services to authorized users making it an obvious solution for security projects in national government, defense, finance and other ID projects requiring security certification.

Jean Paul Kirik, Aspects Security & Services Manager comments ‘our FIPS certified platform provides certified services to FIPS applets, provides FIPS compliant loading of applets and therefore a shorter and simplified evaluation cycle of any new applet to run on the Aspects OS755 operating system. And as our operating system has been designed for both smartcard and XMC modules, achieving FIPS certification for the smartcard module should be straightforward’ Aspects’ OS755 operating system is fast establishing itself as the operating system of choice for a growing number of financial and identity card applications, for mobile phone SIM cards and for secure memory cards. The operating system’s compact, highly efficient code leaves more room on smart cards for applications and biometric data like finger or retinal prints, as well as storage of important data. Aspects’OS755 is available on nine different silicon chips and will be available on a number of others very soon.

Aspects’ dedicated team of security specialists provide consultancy in security auditing, security function design, quality assurance and implementation and are assisting several companies to achieve FIPS 140-2 and Common Criteria certifications.

About Aspects Software

Aspects Software (www.aspectssoftware.com) is a specialist, independent smartcard solution provider with over 20 years’ experience. Focusing on Open Standards, Aspects has developed a Java Card / Global Platform compliant Operating System with tailored solutions for the Wireless (GSM Phase 2+), Finance (VISA Config 1 & 2), ID (FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified) and multi-media markets. Aspects also provides Smartcard Security Consultancy Services and a range of industry leading, proven Test Tools for the Wireless market to inspect, analyse and ensure Standards compliance terminals and handsets with smartcards.