High-security encrypted communication in compact cell phone format
embedded brains develops hardware, mechanical components and power management strategy for plug & play personal security device genucard 3
Munich, January 6th, 2020 – The German system developer embedded brains has developed the hardware, mechanical components and power management strategy for the compact personal security device genucard 3 from genucard GmbH, a German IT security specialist. Mobile users can securely connect to and access the company network while on the road or from the home office. The compact device can be easily connected via USB to any laptop or workstation and enables access to sensitive data in classified networks via a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Compared to the previous version, the genucard 3 offers these advantages: Dual-band Wi-Fi for high-performance WLAN connection, authentication via PIN entry directly on the device, and a compact cell phone format. The approval process is currently in progress at the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) for the classification level RESTRICTED.
High-Performance WLAN Connection with Dual-Band Wi-Fi
With genucard 3, employees can easily access government or company networks from their home office or while travelling: genucard can be connected to any laptop or PC and creates an encrypted connection (VPN) to the remote station configured in the network. Possible connection routes to choose from are WLAN including public hot spots, mobile telephony, and Ethernet. If multiple overlapping WLANs threaten to interfere with data transmission, genucard 3 uses dual-band Wi-Fi to switch to other frequency ranges. In the near future, public authorities, the German armed forces, and companies operating in the field of classified information will be able to use genucard 3 to ensure that employees have secure access to sensitive classified data even when working remotely: Approval from the BSI for classification level RESTRICTED is pending.
User-Friendly Two-Factor Authentication in Accordance with BSI Standards
Users authenticate themselves for access to sensitive networks on the convenient compact device (approximately 86 x 15 x 161 mm) by using a smart card and entering a PIN via PIN pad. This makes two-factor authentication – a security requirement of the BSI – a user-friendly solution. An additional security feature of genucard is its stand-alone capability, since the solution runs on autonomous hardware with its own operating system. This way, genucard retains its functionality and protects the classified network, even in the event that the connected computer is compromised as a result of careless handling.
Central Management Means Low Administration Outlay
Administration of genucards in use is carried out by a central management station. As a result, a large number of employees can be connected to classified networks with minimal effort. The German armed forces, government agencies, and security authorities, as well as companies operating in the security sector have been using the previous version of genucard 3 on a large scale for several years.
About embedded brains GmbH
embedded brains GmbH, with head office near Munich in Germany, is an owner-operated company that specializes in customized software and hardware development for high-performance single and multicore systems. The company was founded in 2005 by the electrical engineers Peter Rasmussen and Thomas Doerfler. Both have more than 20 years of experience and technical expertise in systems development, primarily in the fields of automotive technology, telecommunications and industrial automation, and worked previously as consultants and employees for Dornier, Eurocopter, Siemens, Alcatel Siemens, Thomson, Telenorma and Hilf Microcomputer-Consulting.
The managing directors and their development team advise and support companies from different sectors over the entire development process and with the help of partner companies also deal with series production and fabrication after the completion of prototype development. E&K Automation, Bang & Olufsen, Fraunhofer ESK and Fraunhofer ITWM, Tyco Electronics, MAN Diesel & Turbo as well as Bosch Rexroth AG, among others, are the customers of embedded brains. www.embedded-brains.de
embedded brains GmbH
Dornierstr. 4
D-82178 Puchheim, Germany
Tel.: +49 89-18 94741-00
eMail: info@embedded-brains.de
Hugh Taylor
Hugh Taylor is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). In addition to editing Journal of Cyber Policy, he writes about cybersecurity, compliance and enterprise technology for such clients as Microsoft, IBM, SAP, HPE, Oracle, Google and Advanced Micro Devices. Prior to launching his freelance writing career, he served in executive roles at Microsoft, IBM and several venture-backed technology startups.