Security
As services increasingly move from traditional, paper-based interactions to being conducted via networked PCs, televisions, mobile phones, etc., the need for secure authentication of users and privacy protection for confidential data becomes ever more important. For several years, we have been looking at ways of increasing security and trust in network technologies so that consumers need not worry about threats from electronic fraud and theft, without compromising convenience. We have been working on the design of hardware and software for high-security microprocessors, such as those used in credit cards, mobile phone SIMs and identity cards. We have written a cryptography library and JavaCard operating system for Sharp's sophisticated, large-capacity smart card, and are currently designing the architecture for a next-generation chip, based on a 32 bit processor.
We also work on ways of using these new, secure technologies to enhance people's lifestyles through the use of AV and mobiles appliances. We find the current situation, in which users have to remember dozens of different user-names, PINs, passwords and keys, unacceptable, and are looking at easier and more secure ways of proving your identity. In the near future, many countries will start issuing their citizens with ID cards and electronic passports. These will contain microprocessors for securely holding personal information such as name; address; face, iris and fingerprint images; and personal profiles, storing rights, benefits, preferences, etc. Being able to securely prove your identity in an online environment will allow easy access to a range of new services, and will facilitate new forms of rich interaction between individuals.
