7th July 2010

Idesco Ensures Your Security with Mifare's DESfire Technology

Did you know that many of Idesco’s readers are configurable with either triple DES or AES encryption in combination with MIFARE’s DESFire identification cards?  This combination is an excellent choice when you need both configurable modern multi-applications and security.  The key to our solution is the novel and powerful DESFire technology.

For starters, MIFARE’s DESFire technology is designed to host multiple applications. Additionally, it provides you with significant flexibility in how you configure those applications. This flexibility includes the freedom to configure independent authentication keys even down to choosing different file locations for assembling a data string response to a reader’s query. With DESFire, you can choose up to seven distinct authentication keys for the various applications your cards will host.

Most importantly, the DESFire transponder can provide the highest levels of encryption, Triple DES or even AES, for your response. Triple DES (Data Encryption Standard) employs a triple pass of the TDEA cipher, providing very robust protection against brute force attacks. For ensuring the utmost security, however, AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) carries 128-bit block and 128 bit keys; it is the first publicly accessible and open cipher approved by the NSA for top-secret information.

Most Idesco® Access readers (8,9), Idesco Compact Modules, the Cardea Reader and Access Touch are easily configured with MIFARE’s DESFire technology. If you already own readers configured with older MIFARE Classic technology, you can readily upgrade these units with DESFire transponders.

Contact your sales representative or info write info (@) idesco.fi today to learn more!

Idesco explores new area of security: Host-Reader Encryption

An exciting new idea in Access Control security has been percolating in Idesco recently: securing communication between a system’s readers and their control or host units. Given recent market interest in deploying SSL security in IP-connected systems it is only natural to explore how to bring an equally robust level of security (e.g. AES) to communication between controllers and readers, regardless of whether their interface is cabled (e.g. Wiegand) or wireless.

Many customers and companies have expressed an interest in this area, even inquiring about our plans for future products based on this development. This IS an area we are looking carefully at and will keep you informed as we move these ideas forward. If you are interested in Partnering Solutions/OEM in this area please contact your sales representative to discuss this technology in more detail.

Eco20 also means cost savings for you!

Idesco’s approach to ‘green design’ improves the ecological footprint of its products in two important ways: in reducing product waste and power consumption. However, it also financially benefits you, our customer.

Idesco knows its responsibility for the product waste of its manufacturing processes and for minimizing power and resource consumption. Indeed, this knowledge drives our sustainable product design. This is because, in Finland, companies are accountable for the recovery and recycling of their products.

Therefore, it is not merely safer but indeed more cost-effective to design and manufacture products that are nonhazardous, durable, reusable and upgradeable with configuration cards or software updates - than it is to manufacture solely against disposable convenience and rapid product turnover. Consequently, we constantly strive for a 'deeper shade of green' by stipulating the use of sustainable plastic in Idesco designs and defining life cycle criteria for the sustainable plastics we use in Idesco products.

Additionally, we design all of our readers and controllers for minimal power consumption. We know we live in a time when energy issues will increasingly define our world; we know we must do our part to minimize our customers’ energy consumption. However, the cost savings for minimizing your power consumption also benefit your bottom line.

Since we design our products to communicate wirelessly this inevitably reduces not only the resources used in manufacturing connecting cables (and your expense for their purchase) but also the significant costs of installation (savings up to 75%).

Combine these factors together and it is easier for you to see why Eco20 is not just the ‘right thing to do’ – it means cost savings for you.

Summer Ordering and Contact Information

Again, we remind you that even with summer holidays your orders are always safe and guaranteed when you send them to orders (@) idesco.fi.  Do not let your order languish in your salesperson’s mailbox.  Please remember to order through orders (@) idesco.fi. If you don't receive confirmation for your order within three (3) working days then contact your sales representative immediately.

Additionally, please know that your support inquiries are very important to us.  If you have outstanding questions about our products or a technical issue, contact us immediately through support (@) idesco.fi.

If your company needs application or tag field-testing of our products Idesco will be happy to provide this at an additional charge.  To schedule field tests contact Idesco today at support (@) Idesco.fi.