Samsung Achieves Highest Ever Rating for New Mobile Security Chip

Samsung today unveiled its latest security solution for mobile devices with a new Secure Element (SE) chip and software.

Together, they aim to protect devices from any and all threats.

As ZDNet reports, Samsung's last SE chip solution was used in the Galaxy S20 phones and achieved a Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level (CC EAL) of 5+.

The latest SE chip (S3FV9RR) improves on that by achieving a CC EAL 6+ certification, which Samsung claims is "the highest level acquired by a mobile component." The highest available rating is EAL 7.

In reality, the SE chip will offer an extra layer of security to any smartphone or tablet opting to use it, although Samsung also sees it being used for e-passports and hardware wallets used for storing cryptocurrency.

The chip can work independently of a device's main processor and security solution, which in turn allows it to check firmware hasn't been tampered with, while also offering protection to the boot process, onboard storage, and apps used on a device.

It's also an extra layer of protection when mobile payments are initiated.

Dongho Shin, SVP of System LSI marketing at Samsung Electronics, commented, "In this era of mobility and contact-less interactions, we expect our connected devices, such as smartphones or tablets, to be highly secure so as to protect personal data and enable fintech activities such as mobile banking, stock trading and cryptocurrency transactions ...

With the new standalone security element solution (S3FV9RR), Samsung is mounting a powerful deadbolt on smart devices to safeguard private information."

Samsung says S3FV9RR chips will be available in the third quarter this year, suggesting we could see it used in devices before the end of 2020.

Samsung today unveiled its latest security solution for mobile devices with a new Secure Element (SE) chip and software.

Together, they aim to protect devices from any and all threats.

As ZDNet reports, Samsung's last SE chip solution was used in the Galaxy S20 phones and achieved a Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level (CC EAL) of 5+.

The latest SE chip (S3FV9RR) improves on that by achieving a CC EAL 6+ certification, which Samsung claims is "the highest level acquired by a mobile component." The highest available rating is EAL 7.

In reality, the SE chip will offer an extra layer of security to any smartphone or tablet opting to use it, although Samsung also sees it being used for e-passports and hardware wallets used for storing cryptocurrency.

The chip can work independently of a device's main processor and security solution, which in turn allows it to check firmware hasn't been tampered with, while also offering protection to the boot process, onboard storage, and apps used on a device.

It's also an extra layer of protection when mobile payments are initiated.

Dongho Shin, SVP of System LSI marketing at Samsung Electronics, commented, "In this era of mobility and contact-less interactions, we expect our connected devices, such as smartphones or tablets, to be highly secure so as to protect personal data and enable fintech activities such as mobile banking, stock trading and cryptocurrency transactions ...

With the new standalone security element solution (S3FV9RR), Samsung is mounting a powerful deadbolt on smart devices to safeguard private information."

Samsung says S3FV9RR chips will be available in the third quarter this year, suggesting we could see it used in devices before the end of 2020.