Thales secures PassBy[ME] Mobile ID solution from Microsec

Thales, a leader in critical information systems, cybersecurity and data security, has announced Microsec, a Hungarian provider of public key infrastructure (PKI) solutions and services that includes e-Passport, e-ID card security technology, transaction authorisation and mobile PKI, is deploying Thales nShield hardware security modules (HSMs) to secure its highly popular Microsec PassBy[ME] Mobile ID solution and meet European Union’s eIDAS regulations.

Thales nShield HSMs provide a hardened, tamper-resistant platform for performing functions such as encryption, digital signing and key generation and protection. Thales nShield HSMs support an extensive range of applications, including certificate authorities, code signing or any other application that uses digital keys, either on-premises, or in virtual or cloud environments. PassBy[ME] Mobile ID is a PKI-based mobile ID solution designed to equip smartphone users with a secure mobile identity. That identity can then be used for online banking access, payment or non-payment transaction authorisations, e-government services such as e-health or tax services, or by contracted third party providers for secure remote digital administration.

PassBy[ME] is a versatile mobile ID tool with many application possibilities to go fully digital. It offers legal compliance which is an essential cornerstone of all online transactions.

By selecting Thales nShield HSMs to protect its PassBy[ME] Mobile ID, Microsec is able to:

• Replicate the guarantee process that exists in the physical world – such as a bank branch office – inside a protected digital environment
• Facilitate legally-binding online transaction authorisation and signatures
• Protect private signing keys used within the PassBy[ME] Mobile ID solution
• Deliver hardened cryptographic processing
• Ensure compliance with rigorous industry and governmental standards, such as the Electronic Identification and Trust Services (eIDAS), a European Union regulation designed to ensure electronic transactions are secure

Dr. Sándor Szőke, Deputy Director of eIDAS Trust Services at Microsec, said: “We have extensive experience relying on Thales for HSM solutions. The integration of the Thales nShieldHSM with PassBy[ME] Mobile ID has been straightforward and provides future-proof user authentication and enables our customers and service providers to meet European Union cross-border standards as well as deliver a source of trust for all derived digital services.”

Peter Galvin, VP of Strategy at Thales eSecurity, said: “Digital transformation is now an enterprise-wide initiative where mobile and other emerging technologies play an integral part. The security of mobile data, applications and devices is essential as organisations look to strike a balance between cyber-awareness, the need for functionality and meeting the growing number of privacy-driven regulations – such as The European Commission’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and eIDAS. Microsec’s mobile ID solution creates a truly digital end-to-end experience built on the trust delivered by high assurance Thales HSMs.”