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EU funded research demonstrates security and anti-counterfeiting is possible on standards-compliant RFID tags
(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) London, -- The Tag Security Research Group (TSRG), part of the BRIDGE (Building Radio frequency IDentification solutions for the Global Environment) project, has today launched its white paper, which concludes that cryptographic RFID security is possible using standards-compliant tags. This provides improved levels of security compared to the current password schemes which are vulnerable to security breaches, such as "eavesdropping". The research project, part funded by the EU, developed a range of anti-counterfeiting tags and demonstrated their operation.
The tag identifier can be hidden in secure memory, which enables tags to be 'stunned' as they exit the store. This means that the tags cannot be read anywhere else, which meets consumer privacy requirements. The tags can then be reactivated, if needed, when the item is returned to the retailer. Consequently, the key benefits offered by RFID, such as reverse logistics and product maintenance, are not impacted by 'killing' the tag.
One of the key successes of the project is the development of an anti-counterfeiting solution which conforms to EPCglobal standards (Gen 2 and EPCglobal Architecture). The pioneering work also enables other security services to be built rapidly and securely over the same standards-based readers and infrastructure.
"With the issues of standards-compliant security addressed, retailers can now gain all the benefits that RFID can deliver in product authentication, maintenance, repairs, returns and reverse logistics. This will result in an improved customer experience through faster returns and greater efficiency. It will also provide secure product history which can guarantee the authenticity of the goods they buy," says David Lyon, EPCglobal Business Manager at GS1 UK. "Retailers will also be able to effectively track items that need to be disposed of, recycled and re-sold."
"There are huge business benefits that cannot be leveraged today because of a lack of effective security mechanisms, "says Andrea Soppera, Supply Chain Innovation Manager at BT Research. "Secure RFID solutions must not just 'fix' problems induced by RFID technology itself, but also facilitate trust in the sort of open loop, cross supply chain applications first envisaged by the EPCglobal Network. This whitepaper highlights these key requirements and the needs and benefits of implementing secure RFID".
The BRIDGE research project was conducted by a team of technology providers, universities and GS1 UK, an independent supply chain standards and solutions body. The Tag Security Research Group focused solely on RFID security. The team balanced the needs of the applications of RFID and the resulting data, against the requirements for protecting consumer privacy, guaranteeing product authenticity and managing the integrity of information. More information about BRIDGE and the RFID Security whitepaper can be found at www.bridge-project.eu.
Notes to editor:
BRIDGE Tag Security Research Group (TSRG) included:
- BT Research
- ETH Zurich
- TU Graz
- CAEN RFID
- Confidex
- GS1 UK
About BRIDGE
The Building Radio frequency IDentification solutions for the Global Environment (BRIDGE) project is being supported by the European Union's Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6) with EUR7.5 million funding. It is a three year initiative dedicated to research, development, training and demonstration in the effective use of RFID based on EPCglobal standards.
The BRIDGE project focuses on business-based research, provision of information services and hardware (sensors, tags) and software development. This will lead to pilots, deployment and comprehensive training materials in the use of RFID in a variety of business sectors.
About GS1 UK
GS1 UK has driven innovation in the supply chain for over thirty years. It is part of the global GS1 organisation, dedicated to the development and implementation of global data standards and solutions for the supply chain. The GS1 System is the most widely used supply chain standards system in the world. GS1 UK helps industry to implement these data standards through the use of bar codes, RFID, Global Data Synchronisation (GDS) and electronic business messaging.
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