Neubiberg, Germany, September 24, 2013–Infineon Technologies supplies the security chips for the new electronic driving license (eDriver license) issued in France as of September 2013. The new polycarbonate smart card successively replacing the traditional paper document contains an embedded SLE78 microprocessor with ‘Integrity Guard’. The microprocessor securely stores biometric and personal data of the license holder protecting his or her identity while helping to reduce fraud. Secure authentication of the eDriver license, will also help the police to increase safety on the street: a major issue in France, where up to ten per cent of driving licenses in circulation are believed to be counterfeit. (Source « L’usurpation d’Identité » Guy de Felcourt, CNRS éditions–Juillet 2011)

As of 2033 standardized driving licenses in the credit card form will become mandatory across Europe. Currently there are 110 different versions, formats and security levels in circulation. France, one of Europe’s most populous states (approximately 65 million citizens), is a forerunner in issuing electronic driving licenses and residence permits according to latest EU standards. The eDriver license is also used as identification document and must be updated every fifteen years. It will be produced by the Imprimerie Nationale, the state printer in France.

Beside electronic passports, IDs and electronic residence permits, the electronic driving license is another example for the introduction of harmonized, electronic identification documents within the European Union, which is particularly driven by the European Commission’s Digital Agenda.

About Integrity Guard

Security chips based on the digital security technology ‘Integrity Guard’ offer the highest level of protection against data manipulation that is currently available. The ID document holder’s personal data are not only stored in encrypted form on the security chip, but also processed in encrypted form. In addition, the SLE 78 security controllers with their 16-bit architecture provide better computing performance, which results in faster processing for citizens when they cross borders. Further information is available under http://www.infineon.com/integrityGuard.

Security for the connected world

Based on its core competences in the fields of security, contactless communication and integrated microcontroller solutions (embedded control), Infineon offers an extensive portfolio of semiconductor-based security products for many chip card and security applications. With this expertise, Infineon is helping to increase security in an increasingly networked world, for example for mobile payment, for system security and secure electronic ID documents. For over 25 years, Infineon has developed innovative solutions in the area of hardware-based security and has been a global market leader for 15 consecutive years. For more information about chip cards and security solutions at Infineon, please see: http://www.infineon.com/chip-card-and-security

About Infineon

Infineon Technologies AG, Neubiberg, Germany, offers semiconductor and system solutions addressing three central challenges to modern society: energy efficiency, mobility, and security. In the 2012 fiscal year (ending September 30), the Company reported sales of Euro 3.9 billion with close to 26,700 employees worldwide. Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX) and in the USA on the over-the-counter market OTCQX International Premier (ticker symbol: IFNNY).

Further information is available at http://www.infineon.com