The S3 Authentication Suite will be implemented first for the new Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone, which can enable mobile payments via an integrated fingerprint sensor/biometric. So, S5 users can authenticate to any FIDO-ready application with the existing security capabilities of their device.
Samsung has also joined the FIDO Alliance and been appointed to the Board of Directors.
FIDO is meant to boost interoperability among strong authentication devices and eliminate the need for multiple usernames and passwords. The specifications define an open, scalable, interoperable set of mechanisms that supplant reliance on passwords to securely authenticate users of online services. Security devices and browser plugins will allow any website or cloud application to interface with a broad variety of existing and future FIDO-enabled devices that the user has for online security, wrapping in biometrics, TPM and other technologies.
“Combining FIDO-ready authentication with the new biometric security feature on the Galaxy S5 means users will no longer need to type passwords or login details when they shop,” said Hill Ferguson, chief product officer at PayPal, in a statement. “Users of the Samsung Galaxy S5 can now benefit from a uniquely secure and seamless online, mobile and in-store shopping experience across the millions of merchants that accept our trusted PayPal service – this means that consumers don't need to sacrifice convenience to increase security.”
In the S5 implementation, the Nok Nok Multifactor Client (MFAC) Mobile Edition (also called the FingerPrint Passport) allows the Galaxy S5 fingerprint sensor to connect securely to online services. And then on the back end, PayPal has deployed the Nok Nok Multifactor Authentication Server (MFAS) to provide the authentication infrastructure that communicates securely with the client on the Galaxy S5.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to collaborate with Samsung and PayPal to help drive secure mobile payments around the globe,” said Phillip Dunkelberger, president and CEO at Nok Nok, in a statement. “By providing the FIDO-ready solution, we are bringing the vision of the FIDO Alliance on a global scale, and at the same time providing PayPal, Samsung and their customers with an easy-to-use and more secure solution.”