A new NFC chip developed by NXP revolutionizes the previous NFC portfolio by using a symmetric encryption method, which now ensures an automatic and secure connection. Without having to install your own application on the NFC terminal. The first NFC chip that is copy protected, enabling secure NFC applications.
NTAG 413 DNA is revolutionizing the NTAG’s product portfolio by relying on AES cryptographic authentication. So you can just tap the tag or the NFC card, and check the originality without having your own app installed on the mobile NFC device. An NFC-enabled device can automatically connect to a web-based service. The device can verify the authenticity and validity of the information stored on it. NTAG 413 DNA offers flexibility for many different uses.
NTAG 413 DNA is an ideal solution to interact with consumers through dynamic content and in real time. This enables intelligent and secure marketing of products or secure online authentication. NTAG 413 DNA is designed to fit into many NFC tagging applications, especially when safety has to have priority.
NTAG 413 DNA is a fully NFC Forum Tag Type 4 compatible IC. The NFC Forum 4 standard defines which mode an NFC-enabled device uses to read or write the NDEF message of a tag / chip. The communication of these Forum 4 tags is based on the ISO Data Exchange Protocol (ISO-DEP) which is fully compliant with the ISO / IEC 14443 standard. This is based on the NFC-A or NFC-B protocols.
NTAG 413 DNA complies with ISO / IEC14443-4 and ISO / IEC 7816-4. Because of the high input capacity (70pF), the NTAG 413 DNA Tag IC is ideal for applications that requires small products without sacrificing performance. Small NFC tags can be more easily embedded in labels or electronic devices. The mechanical and electrical specifications of the NTAG 413 DNA are tailored to the requirements of the inlay and tag manufacturer.
The NTAG 413 enables dynamic encryption of the NDEF message on an NFC chip. This means, for example, that an URL or a plain text file saved as NDEF (and is readable by any smartphone) can be created and encrypted by the chip dynamically. In this way, each time a new, individually encrypted code is created and sent – which can be authenticated by the corresponding reader or server.
The special feature of this new device is called “Secure Unique NFC Message” (SUN), which guarantees the most secure communication between an NFC card or an NFC tag and a terminal by generating a unique code. Each time the card is used, a new code is generated, which is sent and verified as a web link from the smartphone in real time to the server. This unique code is based on CMAC information “Cipher-based Message Authentication Code” and can be calculated from the chip UID and / or the counter.
To check a message or a chip or NFC card for authenticity, the CMAC standard is used. This means that both transmitter and receiver have a secret key. The transmitter (NFC card) uses this security key and its message or the content of the NDEF message to calculate a MAC code and sends the message and the MAC to the receiver (server). This receiver calculates the MAC to the received NDEF message with the previously shared key and compares the calculated MAC with the received one. With the NTAG 413, a counter (NFC Counter) is integrated in the encryption in order to generate a unique code for each read operation additionally.
The NTAG 413 provides complete traceability for each individual read operation. Through a counter every reading process is written on the card and so a reuse of an old code is made impossible. In addition, this feature allows tracking or determining the frequency of the tag use.
The application areas are varied and range from increased counterfeit security to geocaching geographic tracking of the mobile phone. Here are a few examples of what’s possible with the new crypto-chip and how it can make your business model safer than ever before.
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