Samsung has developed a new Secure Element (SE) chip and enhanced security software to better protect sensitive data on mobile devices. The new chip, dubbed S3FV9RR, provides protection for startup, isolated storage, mobile payments, and other applications. It also received a Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level (CC EAL) of 6+ and is the highest level ever achieved by a Common Criteria mobile component certifying the security level of IT products from EAL0 to EAL7. In a press release, Dongho Shin explained in a press release, Senior Vice President of LSI Marketing System at Samsung Electronics: “In an era of mobility and contactless interactions, we expect our connected devices, such as smartphones or tablets, to be highly secure to protect personal data and enable fintech activities like mobile banking, stock trading, and cryptocurrency transactions. With the new standalone security feature solution (S3FV9RR), Samsung is mounting a powerful lock on smart devices to protect private information. "
Secure Element Chip
Samsung's new security solution is an improved turnkey that builds on its predecessor, the S3K250AF, which was first implemented on the Galaxy S20. This first generation SE chip was CC EAL 5+ certified, while the new chip is CC EAL 6+ certified. The CC EAL 6+ certification is used primarily in devices and applications that require the most stringent security requirements, such as flagship smartphones, ePassports, and hardware wallets for storing cryptocurrency. The new SE chip also supports hardware-based root of trust (RoT), secure boot, and device authentication to take mobile security to the next level. When the bootloader starts, a chain of trust is activated to validate the firmware with the approved keys. The Secure Boot process is managed by RoT, which helps protect the device from malicious attacks as well as unauthorized software updates. Samsung's new security solution can even work independently of the security performance of the device's main processor. The company believes that its latest SE chip will help extend the security capabilities of mobile devices, IoT applications, and other devices at all performance levels. The second generation SE chip is expected to be available in the third quarter of this year. via ZDNet