mobile security

NTT DoCoMo and Panasonic have announced a new phone: the P903i. What’s interesting about this phone in particular is the unique security features that are present.

It clearly defines a mechanism for each of the three authentications categories.

Something you have

The most significant feature is the small electronic key card which the owner must carry on his or her person in order for the device to function. The range can be set at 8, 20 or 40 meters. If the owner moves outside the predefined range, the phone will automatically lock.

Something you are

The other interesting security feature on this phone is biometric. The owner takes three photos (in natural and artificial light). The facial recognition software measures the unique distances between the owners facial features and, to add another layer of security, it even has the ability to check to see if the eyes are blinking. This ensures that a photo is not being presented for authentcation - which I am told happened at Bill Gates’ concept house a few years ago.

Something you know

If the keycard is lost the user is able to enter a one-time password to unlock the device. However, in order to continue using the security features, a new keycard will need to be subsequently purchased and registered to the device.

So if the owner looses or has their phone stolen, there is even a built in GPS module which allows the onwer to look up the whereabouts of their phone on the web. This service is rumoured to cost $2.50 per use. I will be interested to see if any or all of these authentication measures catch on with other manufacturers.

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