Qualcomm has just announced that its latest flagship SoC, the Snapdragon 855, is now the first CPU for mobile devices to attain the Smart Card Equivalent Security Certification. This means the processor can handle applications normally confined to the realm of dedicated security chips. It does this through its integrated Secure Processing Unit.
This basically means that phone manufacturers may no longer need to build phones with external security chips, thereby saving manufacturers money and ultimately offering them the same level of security. The Snapdragon 855’s security is handled by the chip’s Secure Processing Unit, or SPU.
It also means that every device equipped with Qualcomm’s latest chipset, even currently available smartphones like the ASUS ZenFone 6, the OnePlus 7 Pro, the U.S. Samsung Galaxy S10, and the Xiaomi Mi 9, will be now capable of new functionality even though they lack discrete security modules.
The SD 855 was developed with an integrated Qualcomm Secure Processing Unit. It has been involved in functions like Android Strongbox Keymaster or Gatekeeper on the devices in which it is found until now. Its new certification means that it may also be possible to use the chipset for applications such as trusted platform module (TPM) functions; offline payments; crypto wallets; travel permits and even electronic IDs – all from a 2019 flagship smartphone.
“Completing the EAL-4 Plus security certification is a major milestone in our journey to bring smart card levels of security to our Snapdragon customers and users. Use cases that previously required separate security chips will now be possible fully integrated in Snapdragon 855 powered devices,” said Jesse Seed, senior director, product management at Qualcomm, in a statement. “This certification is a testament to the industry firsts that Snapdragon 855 brings to market and Qualcomm Technologies’ continue leadership in embedded security.”