Sharp IC Module for IC Cards Certified Under US Federal Government Standard Recognition of High Level of Security

Sharp’s IC module for IC cards has become the first high-capacity product of its kind to be approved for level 2 of the US Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 140-2 (FIPS 140-2).

FIPS 140-2 is a US government standard used to accredit modules for storing confidential data. This certification is recognition of the advanced security of Sharp’s high-capacity IC module for IC cards.

IC cards are used for applications like financial institutions, subway travel, and e-cash, and for official use as driver’s licenses and identification cards. This means they must be secure against potential unlawful access and the leakage and falsification of stored data.

To meet these needs, Sharp offers highly secure IC modules for IC cards. They boast not only proprietary encryption technology, but also high-capacity flash memory (1MB) for storing a variety of software: for things like improved physical identification of individuals through ID photos, vein patterns, and fingerprints, as well as applications for room entry and computer access authorization.

This certification means that Sharp technology has been proven to be highly secure by an official US institute and that Sharp’s IC modules—with their proprietary encryption mounting technology and random number generation technology, as well as advanced technology for detecting falsification of card data—can meet the needs of US federal government agencies for the high level of security.

Sharp will take this opportunity to develop new markets for official US cards that require FIPS certification and other fields that demand a high level of security.