SkyeTek Introduces State-of-the-Art Security for RFID Privacy Protection

Allows Use of Generic Tags for Secure RFID Applications

July 10, 2006 – Westminster, Colo. – SkyeTek, Inc., the leading provider of embedded RFID reader technology, today unveiled the industry’s most advanced security technology for protecting the integrity and privacy of broad RFID implementations in both HF and UHF. The best cryptography implemented today is found in government, financial, and internet applications in the form of AES and SHA, both specified by NSA and FIPS as industry standards for encryption and hashing, respectively.  SkyeTek brings that security to embedded RFID applications, such as Item-Level Inventory Management, ePedigree, and Contactless Payment, and also allows customers to use generic tags in those applications saving customers up to 70% versus proprietary, encrypted tags.

“The benefits of embedded RFID applications are immense – however, the industry must address legitimate privacy threats in a cost effective manner before widespread adoption can occur,” said Rob Balgley, CEO of SkyeTek. “With our most recent security innovations, SkyeTek has integrated best-in-class, open standard encryption and hashing into our embedded readers without impacting form, fit, or cost.  RFID security is now on par with mature technology industries and has been implemented in a highly cost-efficient manner through the use of generic tags in secure applications.”

SkyeTek’s multi-frequency Advanced Universal Reader Architecture (AURA) implements the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for state-of-the-art privacy protection.  DES and Triple-DES are supported for legacy applications already employing forms of the Digital Encryption Standard (DES).  AURA also encompasses the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) and MD5 to provide industrial strength hashing to protect against tag tampering and counterfeiting.  These security features are accessible through ReaderWare, AURA’s software layer, which allows customers to develop their secure, embedded RFID application independent of tag, protocol, or frequency.

"As RFID adoption continues to grow across nearly every vertical market, data security solutions are becoming more critical." said Drew Nathanson, RFID Practice Director at Venture Development Corporation.  "The ability to use open, standards-based security solutions with any commercially available tag will facilitate wide-scale RFID adoption for both the enterprise and consumer, particularly in applications related to patient safety, contactless payment, personal identification, and customer loyalty.  With RFID security issues becoming more prevalent in increasingly 'public' forums, companies that choose to integrate enhanced security solutions into their product innovation and design processes are expected to gain a significant competitive advantage."

These security features come standard in SkyeTek’s new reader modules, the M2 HF SkyeModule and M9 UHF SkyeModule.  Both readers allow customers to utilize industry standard HF and UHF tags for security-intensive applications, including tags that have already been deployed by customers.  The M2 and M9 also provide support for proprietary encryption algorithms and their associated tags.  The M2 is currently available through SkyeTek OEMs, systems integrators, and channel partners.  The M9 will begin shipments later this month.