Personal Authentication Device and System for Securing Transactions on a Mobile Device
A personal authentication device for use with a mobile device, comprising a secure processor, a crypto engine supporting certificate functions, a wireless communication module, a cryptographic engine, a memory, a hardware based identity, a policy engine, one or more security features; and an on-board main power battery. Also a system comprising the personal authentication device and a verification authority, and an associated method of authentication.
1 . A personal authentication device for use with a mobile device, comprising:
a. a secure processor;
b. a crypto engine supporting certificate functions;
c. a wireless communication module;
d. a secure non-volatile memory;
e. a hardware fingerprint means that comprises a fingerprint device or a fingerprint circuit;
f. one or more security features; and
g. an on-board main power battery.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the hardware fingerprint device or fingerprint circuit is a PUF.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more security features is of a class enabling the device to be associated with a FIPS 140-2 level 3 certification.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication module is Bluetooth or NFC.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication module is Bluetooth or NFC and the one or more security features is of a class enabling the device to be associated with a FIPS 140-2 level 3 certification.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication module is Bluetooth or NFC, and the one or more security features is of a class enabling the device to be associated with a FIPS 140-2 level 3 certification, and the hardware fingerprint device or fingerprint circuit is a PUF.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the hardware fingerprint device or fingerprint circuit is a PUF and the one or more security features is of a class enabling the device to be associated with a FIPS 140-2 level 3 certification.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the hardware fingerprint device or fingerprint circuit is a PUF and the wireless communication module is Bluetooth or NFC.
9 . A system comprising one or more of the devices of claim 1 , and one or more secure mobile devices that store certificates accessible for execution only by authorized applications in a securely separated partition that includes means for establishing secure data tunnels to an authorized account provider and to at least one of the devices of claim 1 .
10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to directly or indirectly communicate information with the provider of an account that is associated with the device through binding to the identity of a specific human individual.
11 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is associated with a mobile device.
12 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the wireless communication module is configured to communicate with the mobile device.
13 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the wireless communication module is configured to directly or indirectly communicate with a mobile device, a verification authority, and an account provider.
14 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the memory stores one or more authentication certificates.
15 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the memory stores one or more authentication certificates and the hardware fingerprint device or fingerprint circuit is a PUF.
16 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a secure boot module.
17 . A system comprising one or more of the devices of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication module is configured to directly or indirectly communicate with a mobile device, a verification authority, and an account provider.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the account provider is a bank.
19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the account provider possesses health records.
20 . The system of claim 17 , wherein one or more individual humans are associated with the account provider through an account corresponding to the individual.
21 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the memory contains policy data obtained through interactions between the device and an account provider.
22 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the memory contains policy data associated with a secure enrollment of a user with an account provider.
23 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the secure processor includes a policy engine that is adapted to determine whether a transaction complies with policy data.
24 . The device of claim 23 , wherein the policy engine is further adapted to authorize transactions that comply with policy data.
25 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the certificate is a certificate traditionally used for identity processing.
26 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the device is adapted to utilize both the authentication certificates and the PUF in a manner that increases transactional security beyond what either means can provide alone.