HID Global, Inside Contactless to Add ID Credentials to NFC Phones

HID Global and Inside Contactless have extended their long standing partnership to bring iCLASS access control and identity credentials to near-field communications (NFC) mobile phones.

According to the companies, embedding HID’s iCLASS virtual credentials into NFC mobile phones will enable potential substitution of numerous plastic cards for a variety of commercial and consumer identity applications.

France-based Inside Contactless is in the process of updating its microread NFC controller to implement the command set and protocol that will allow it to communicate with HID iCLASS readers. Also, iCLASS support will be a feature of all the company’s future NFC products.

Under terms of the deal, any mobile phone using Inside’s iCLASS-enabled microread NFC controller with an associated secure element will be able to support the use of iCLASS virtual credentials.

“iCLASS-enabled mobile phones can be used just like traditional iCLASS contactless credentials with an HID iCLASS reader, adding new levels of convenience and flexibility, and with added new application features,” says Tam Hulusi, senior vice president at HID Global.

Among numerous identity applications, the technology will allow for secure PC log on, time and attendance monitoring, equipment and material checkout, authorized access to office equipment and manufacturing machinery, prepaid transit passes and others.

According to Hulusi, the iCLASS virtual credentials for NFC mobile phones will be securely delivered via HID Global’s Trusted Identity Platform secure delivery system.

Inside has been HID’s exclusive supplier of semiconductor chips for iCLASS credentials since the establishment of their partnership in 2001. In 2007, the companies extended their partnership to enable the use of iCLASS technology in the emerging virtual credential market.

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