Last year, Samsung's System LSI arm unveiled a first-of-its-kind security chip for debit and credit cards. Called Biometric Card IC, the security chip includes a fingerprint reader, a secure element, and a secure processor in a small area. To explain how it works in detail, Samsung has published a new video that you can check out below.
When registering for a card that uses Samsung's Biometric Card IC, the user can enroll up to three fingers in the presence of the card issuing bank/firm. Once the user's fingerprints are registered, the data is stored in the SE (Secure Element). When using the card, the user can place their finger on the fingerprint sensor area of the card. During a transaction, if the security chip authenticates the user's fingerprint, the transaction will take place, and there is no need to enter a PIN (Personal Identification Number).
This way, users don't have to worry about fraudulent transactions. Moreover, the chip can detect fake fingerprints, and enrolled fingerprints can't be transferred from the security chip to outside the card as it uses robust encryption technologies. Such cards work with all PoS (Point of Sale) devices.
The Biometric Card IC won the CES 2023 Best of Innovation Awards in the Cybersecurity & Personal Privacy category. Samsung says that its Biometric Card IC improves security, speed, and financial inclusivity at the same time. Cards with such chips can be helpful for those with learning disabilities or those who can't remember their PIN information.
