QTC could make NFC more secure, says technology developer
Touch technology specialist Peratech says it has a solution to a security issue involved with Near Field Communications (NFC). The problem – known as skimming – allows data to be read from an NFC enabled device or card without the owner's knowledge.
Peratech's solution is to incorporate an ultrathin switch into a credit card or passport so that it is always off unless the owner presses the switch to enable data transfer. The switch would use Peratech's Quantum Tunnelling Composite (QTC) technology. The QTC switch is just 70µm thick, allowing it to be easily embedded into a credit card, passport or access pass.
David Lussey, Peratech's cto, said: "Unfortunately, a number of card companies are now deploying contactless credit cards without protection that can have their details skimmed and used fraudulently, so we expect problems to start becoming widespread."
