Description

Without cables to tether us to the office or the home, being able to use mobile devices securely is not only essential for modern communication needs but also for working, playing and paying.

Being able to securely access networks or content and make payments reduces fraud, protects our information and secures our identity. PINoptic Mobile provides the scaleable security this needs whilst remaining user friendly.

Applications include:

• Access control
  • To device itself
  • To SIM
  • To data stored locally on device
  • To wireless networks
  • To corporate networks
  • To high value content e.g. music, movies and games
• M-commerce
• Mobile banking
• Mobile working
• E-wallet
• Mobile ticketing

Benefits

• Considerably more secure than Chip and PIN or password based security systems.
• No additional hardware needed by the user making it more convenient than token based systems whilst providing similar levels of security.
• Scaleable - from one symbol for low security applications e.g. handset lock or making a local call, to five symbols for military grade security e.g. access to corporate network, or as many symbols as you require.
• Pre-packaged PINoptic symbol-sets support ease of consumer understanding and ubiquity.
• New symbol or image sets can be designed by the user for uniqueness or branding purposes.
• Symbol sets scale well for use on different devices with different screen resolutions.
• Uses images rather than numbers which passes the Turing test and cannot be 'read' by automated computer programmes.
• PINoptic research shows that the majority of users are able to remember images better than numbers reducing support service calls and emails.
• Reduces risks from user laziness for example using the same password for multiple purposes as the same symbol set will still provide a one-time password each time it is used.
• API based package allows for simple integration.

Technical Info

Two software development kit (SDK) are available. The first is written in C++ for easy integration into host devices. A static library is available for Windows PCs and a small-footprint version for Windows Mobile platforms. The second SDK is in java for integration with web-based applications.

Each SDK comprises a PINoptic authentication engine and a straightforward applications programmer interface (API) which allows control of:

Configuration including:

• Number, size, shape and position of virtual buttons.
• Design, size and position of the images on each virtual button.
• The number of elements in the PIC code.
• The choice between static and dynamic PINoptic grids.

And operation including:

• PIC code setting.
• PIC code authentication.

Implementation

PINoptic licenses the use of its software development kit which include technical support, bespoke development training and customisable end-user training so that a VPOTP solution can be created to suit your needs and existing mobile environment.

Market information

With telecoms fraud currently running at $12bn - $55bn per annum, according to Chorleywood Consulting, and predictions for further major growth in the mobile space, PINoptic Mobile provides a superior literacy-neutral and user-friendly authentication security solution to support and protect these new activities and revenue streams.

• "m-commerce," the buying and selling of goods and services using mobiles, is expanding in rapidly in developing countries according to a report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad).
• The total number of mobile subscribers worldwide is set to cross the magic 3 billion mark in late 2007. (Portio Research)
• Worldwide mobile penetration is expected to exceed 50% in 2008, and in emerging markets such as India and China, the number of consumers with mobile phones surpasses Internet penetration. (Portio Research)
• In 2006, an estimated 14% of UK mobile subscribers had downloaded at least one mobile game, double the figure for the previous year. (visiongain)
• The convergence of mobile communications and financial services will see more than 1.4 billion people worldwide benefiting from mobile financial services by 2015. (Edgar Dunn in partnership with the GSMA)
• Mobile working is growing in importance, the Office of National Statistics in the UK estimates that there are over 3 million remote and non-office based workers, with a further 1 million mainly mobile staff in the UK alone.
• In-Stat forecasts that revenue from mobile video for entertainment purposes could grow to more than $6 billion per year by 2011.