Just in time for the turn of the year, cv act sc/interface, cryptovision’s proven smartcard middleware, not only got a new name. SCinterface also convinces with new features: The graphical user interface has been fundamentally optimized and the ease of use has been improved throughout thanks to a uniform, more modern design. With the new version 8.0, cryptovision has further expanded the capabilities of SCinterface in response to current market developments. SCinterface customers can now use the full range of middleware use cases with the latest card operating systems NXP JCOP4, Infineon SECORA™ and ATOS CardOS 5.4 & 5.5. With SCinterface 8.0, the current D-TRUST signature and seal cards for qualified signatures can also be used throughout Europe in compliance with eIDAS. Also new in version 8.0 is support for macOS 11 Big Sur, which has only been available since November 2020. This enables a secure and flexible design of BYOD and enterprise IT concepts.
With SCinterface 8.0, two-factor authentication is easily implemented to connect from the home workstation to the corporate network via a virtual private network (VPN) or to use a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). SCinterface 8.0 works unrivaled with all major smart cards on Windows, Linux and macOS.
About SCinterface
SCinterface middleware integrates smartcards and other security tokens as well as virtual and remote credentials into IT environments. SCinterface acts across platforms and supports more than 100 different smartcards, security tokens and profiles on all major operating systems. There are many useful features including biometrics, highly customizable PIN caching for different security levels, Microsoft Virtual Smart Card and remote token support.
SCinterface is used by numerous customers worldwide in a variety of industries. These include German companies Allianz, Signal Iduna and E.ON, Dutch KPN and SwissSign, among others.
The events that have taken place during 2020 seem to have put us all at great distance. The pandemic has shrouded the world in a fog of fears of death and illness. But it’s not just the disease itself, which causes hardship to people: coronavirus mitigation measures taken by rich countries to protect themselves, directly affect those less fortunate all over the world. Instead of isolating and turning inward to focus on our own challenges, let us take up the true spirit of the holiday season by being compassionate and let us cultivate a more balanced sense of responsibility for others and ourselves.
At this year’s SDW Virtual, cryptovision presents its ePasslet Suite V3 on SECORA™ ID X, the new Java Card™ platform from Infineon. With the help of ePasslet Suite, users of SECORA™ ID X will be able to put numerous eID functions into practice easily and flexibly. A presentation will be displayed in the SDW Virtual “Technology Showcase” section.
Cryptovision’s ePasslet Suite on SECORA™ ID X provides applets for various eID document applications, including electronic passports, eIDAS-compliant ID and signature cards, international electronic driver’s licenses, electronic health cards (eHIC), custom national eID cards and more. ePasslet Suite V3 also supports ICAO LDS 2.0, an extension of electronic passports with electronic visas and entry and exit stamps.
In addition, ePasslet Suite on SECORA™ ID X can be freely customized through various configuration options. It can evolve to support new use cases and applications while retaining Common Criteria (CC) certification, thereby enabling multi-application cards and documents.
“We are delighted to have reached a further milestone on our path to offer modular, standard-based eID solutions on all major chip platforms. Government customers across the world will benefit from this broadened portfolio,” states cryptovision’s CEO Markus Hoffmeister.
ePasslet Suite on SECORA™ ID X is being certified according to Common Criteria (CC) EAL 5+. It is available in three editions, offering cost-efficient configurations for standard as well as high-end and customized ID document solutions. Samples of the solution are now available on request.
With Infineon’s SECORA™ ID X as additional platform for ePasslet Suite, cryptovision extends its offering for international eID customers: Infineon’s expertise is based on more than 200 government ID projects that cover more than 75 percent of the world’s population.
Another EU country has introduced an electronic identity card for its citizens. After Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Finland, Estonia and several other countries, the Republic of Malta has also been issuing ID documents with a smart card chip since August 2020. The 400,000 citizens of Malta will be equipped with the new document over the next few years, gradually replacing the old ID cards, which will remain valid until the planned expiration date.
The new Maltese ID card is contactless. It complies with European Union requirements and is therefore based on proven data formats. The keys and certificates used are compatible with those used in other countries. Like the electronic passport, which is now in widespread use worldwide, the Maltese identity document also stores biometric features, which means that an ID card can be securely assigned to its owner. In addition to the smartcard chip, the new ID document has various physical security features that make forgery much more difficult. In particular, the name and additional information about the holder are laser-engraved into the document.
In the near future, the Maltese government plans to offer e-government services via the Internet, which citizens can use with the new ID card as identity proof. This requires a card reader on the PC and smart card middleware.
Electronic identity documents are currently experiencing a boom. An electronic ID card is not only more secure, but also and above all enables a multitude of new applications. For example, the issuer can decide to use an electronic identity document for payment, as a health insurance card, for authentication on the Internet, as a driver’s license, as a door key, as a travel document, for digital signing and for age verification – to name just a few examples. In most cases, a secret key is used as a security anchor, which is stored unreadably on the chip and authenticated by a digital certificate.
Electronic ID cards play an important role in making the increasing digitalization secure and reliable. It is therefore to be welcomed that more and more countries are equipping their citizens with such documents.
To learn more about electronic identity card systems, check here.
It is almost a tradition that cryptovision’s managers and a few other employees met for a workshop in the fall of this year to discuss the company’s strategic orientation away from the daily business.
Up to now, these retreats have always taken place on a finca on Mallorca, but due to the Corona crisis, the company management decided to forgo a trip abroad this time. Instead, the choice fell on the idyllically situated village of Fredenwalde in the Uckermark, almost 100 kilometers north of Berlin. The “Gutshof Fredenwalde” there, with its extensive grounds and spacious, Corona-compatible premises, offered just the right environment for five days of fine-tuning the company strategy while enjoying the comforts of life.
Under the direction of the managing directors Markus Hoffmeister and Marco Smeja, the participants divided into different working groups to strategically examine the three business areas of cryptovision, Government-ID, IT-Security and IoT and Industry. The groups developed detailed plans for action in the near future. Of course, in this process, club cv also played a role, which was publicly presented at Digital Mindshare in the spring.
Since cryptovision is currently in a growth phase, the topic of personnel recruitment was also in focus. As a glance at the company’s career page shows, there are currently over a dozen open positions, from Senior Software Engineer to Project Manager Sales. The increasing number of employees naturally makes it necessary to develop new organizational and administrative structures. The participants in Fredenwalde set the course for this. On the basis of a new Wiki structure, cryptovision’s knowledge management is currently being raised to a new level.
As usual at cryptovision, despite all the work, the pleasure was not neglected. A catering company provided the workshop participants with regional specialties from the Uckermark cuisine. In addition, a visit to a distillery was on the program. The icing on the cake was the weather – it was unusually warm for the time of year.
More than 100 kilometers run, 1904 Euros for the Mike macht Meter campaign and lots of fun – that was the result of cryptovision’s company run “Run Crypto Run”, which took place yesterday for the first time.
The company internal event came about after the B2Run, an annual running event with over 3,500 participants, in which cryptovision traditionally participates, was cancelled due to corona. cryptovision took the matter into its own hands.
As partner and participant of the “Run Crypto Run”, cryptovision managing director Markus Hoffmeister was able to win over his long-time friend and ex-football professional Mike Büskens, who won the UEFA Cup with Schalke 04 in 1997. Büskens, who lives in Gelsenkirchen and is still closely associated with the club, initiated the aforementioned Mike macht Meter (“Mike makes meters”) project a few months ago. This project collects money for various social organizations and institutions in Gelsenkirchen – including the homeless aid organization Warm durch die Nacht.
When the starting signal was fired yesterday, Tuesday at 5:30 pm in the Von-Wedelstaedt Park in Gelsenkirchen, 30 employees and friends of cryptovision set off on the optional five or three kilometer route at 31 degrees air temperature. Past the science park and over the nearby Rheinelbe coal dump with the well-known “Stairway to Heaven”, the course finally led back to the starting point, where urgently needed cool drinks were served at the finish.
Of course, a subsequent barbecue party was not to be missed. On this occasion managing director Markus Hoffmeister handed over a cheque to ex-Schalke professional Mike Büskens for his aid project – in the amount of 1904 Euro, which is almost without alternative for Schalker.
Anyone who also wants to make meters themselves and support the Eurofighter aid project can do so at any time. All you have to do is cover one distance continuously and then donate 04 EURO or more per kilometer – via Paypal or bank transfer (mike.macht.meter, DE22422600010116335402). Büskens guarantees that the incoming donations are used to 100 percent to help people. “As part of a constantly growing movement, we want to do good for people in Gelsenkirchen and for our health,” says the former professional footballer. “Everybody join in, join me in the meter!
cv cryptovision GmbH, a leading manufacturer of encryption solutions for companies and public authorities, is preparing for the growing demand in the area of identity-based security solutions and is strengthening its management team: Manager Stefan Frenzel took up the position of Senior Vice President Sales on August 1.
After a successful 2019, the forecasts for the coming years are also consistently positive. cryptovision is still on a growth path and strengthens the management team in the course of this development. With the appointment of Stefan Frenzel as Senior Vice President Sales, the company underpins its course to develop solutions for the security of electronic identities. Stefan Frenzel has held numerous operational and strategic management positions in international technology companies, including Cherry GmbH and HID Global. Most recently, he was Head of Sales at the high-tech company Distec GmbH.
Marco Smeja, the former Head of Sales at cv cryptovision, was promoted to second Managing Director and CSO last year and in this position is responsible for other business areas beyond sales, including consulting and legal.
Commenting on the new sales management appointment, Smeja says: “cryptovision is a dynamic and flexible company with an outstanding product portfolio. We are pleased to have won Stefan Frenzel, a manager with valuable experience in the international ID security market. With his support, we will continue to drive the positive development of cryptovision not only in the international segment of electronic ID cards and passports with our portfolio around the ePasslet Suite”.
cryptovision develops, among other things, security solutions that sign and encrypt company data such as e-mails and files. The Gelsenkirchen-based company offers numerous security solutions certified by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), such as the product GreenShield. It allows the processing and transmission of information with the classification level “Classified information – for official use only (VS – NfD)”.
Every year, Mindshare is a highlight for cryptovision and the entire industry – with a great conference program and the hottest party of the summer. But this year? Due to Covid-19, many things are different at cryptovision at the moment, and so having Mindshare 2020 as an onsite event was not an option.
However, cryptovision made a virtue of necessity – and invited to a Digital Mindshare, which was held as a webinar. On June 23, 2020, two hours of exciting online presentations were broadcast live from the cryptovision meeting room, which had previously been turned into a television studio.
Under the motto “CryptOlympics”, six speakers presented the strategies and success stories of the company in the style of a sports TV show, including medal ceremonies and winner interviews (with customers and partners). Circuits to Mexico, Rotterdam and Berlin made it clear that this was an international event. It was informative as always, even if the usual networking during the breaks or at the party was missing.
After Marketing Director Veronica von Preysing had introduced the new Club cv, which will be discussed later at this point, each participant had the chance to sign up for a Corona Care Package. This included a backpack, a face mask, a survival bracelet, and a disinfectant spray – all the things you need in these times. The packages are being shipped by mail.
With 150 participants from ten countries, the Digital Mindshare 2020 was as popular as the onsite events of recent years. But despite the enthusiastic feedback, all participants agreed in one point: If at all possible, next year’s Mindshare will be an analog event in Gelsenkirchen again – and not just for the party.
Dealing with VS-NfD classified information is much easier if you can send it by e-mail. However, this is only permitted with a VS-NfD-approved encryption solution. GreenShield by cryptovision is one of the few products that meet this requirement. GreenShield not only convinces with its high user-friendliness, but also with its central management and the support of different BSI-approved smartcard types.
GreenShield is available in the variants GreenShield Mail (e-mail encryption) and GreenShield File (file encryption). GreenShield Mail is implemented as a convenient add-in for the user’s e-mail client. GreenShield File and GreenShield Mail for Outlook received approval for processing and transmitting VS-NfD (EU and NATO restricted) classified information as early as December 2018. Now the approval has been extended by the BSI to include GreenShield Mail for IBM Notes.
This makes GreenShield Mail the only VS-NfD approved email encryption solution for IBM Notes on the German market. The solution’s multi-client capability is also unique: it supports both Outlook and Notes on the same device. Thus GreenShield Mail enables a smooth migration from Notes to Outlook.
Germany’s largest Notes installation is operated by a Federal Ministry, which has been using the predecessor product (cv act s/mail – for VS-NfD) from cryptovision for 15 years. cryptovision is now pleased to be able to serve this customer with GreenShield Mail for Notes.
Retailers and restaurateurs need to upgrade. The Kassensicherungsverordnung (KassenSichV) [Cash Register Security Ordinance] requires them to equip their cash registers with cryptographic security mechanisms that prevent tax fraud. The focus here is on a so-called Technical Security Device (TSE), a security module that must be certified according to the specifications of the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). A TSE must be used in every cash register, whereby the technical details are regulated in standard TR-03153.
cryptovision, which has specialised in crypto solutions for two decades, has completely developed an innovative TSE module on behalf of Bundesdruckerei and its subsidiary D-TRUST. A few days ago, this product received the required certificate from BSI. Now nothing stands in the way of its use in supermarkets, restaurants or furniture stores.
The primary goal in the multi-year design process was to develop not only a secure and legally compliant TSE solution, but above all one that is suitable for everyday use. No retailer will tolerate that a cash register that he uses dozens of times a day is suddenly more cumbersome to operate. Against this background, cryptovision and Bundesdruckerei decided to implement a microSD card, as known from digital cameras for example. With a size of less than two square centimetres, such a card can be integrated into small (mobile) POS systems without any problems. It can also be used on a server.
As the only solution on the German market, the TSE developed by cryptovision uses the latest chip generation with the card operating system JCOP 4 from NXP. All security-relevant functions are stored centrally on this chip – this increases not only security but also the future viability of the TSE. The product enables up to four transactions per second, with a lifetime that can be set at up to 20 million transactions. The solution can be accessed via several interfaces (C-API, JAVA-API or transport layer), which makes integration by manufacturers of POS systems easy.
“With our TSE product, we have once again succeeded in meeting high security requirements and legal regulations in a solution that is suitable for everyday use,” says Markus Hoffmeister, CEO of cryptovision, happily. “Our long-standing partnerships with NXP, Bundesdruckerei and D-TRUST were a great advantage in this respect”.
For Hoffmeister, the legally required protection of cash registers is only the beginning of a development that will also result in the protection of numerous other technical devices: “The future belongs to the Internet of Things (IoT). From electricity meters to cars to refrigerators, there is hardly anything that will not be connected to a communication network at some point in the future. Security will play a central role in this.” cryptovision is prepared for this. The Jacolyn CSP security solution, which forms the core of the certified TSE product, is not only suitable for cash registers. It can be used in many IoT applications in the future.
We use cookies on our website. Some of them are functional, while others help us to evaluate page usage and thus improve our online offer. You can find out more in our privacy policy. Cookie SettingsAgreePrivacy Policy
Cookie Settings
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your user experience while you are navigating the website. These cookies store the cookies categorized as required in your browser, since they are essential for the functioning of the basic functions of the website. We also use cookies from statistical tools, with which we can analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies are only saved in your browser with your consent. You also have the option of deactivating these cookies. However, disabling some of these cookies can affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are essential for the proper functioning of the website. This category only contains cookies that guarantee basic functions and security features of the website. These cookies do not store personal information. The necessary cookies also include the Polylang cookie, which is used to remember the language that the user selected when visiting the website again.
