GlobalPlatform prints new spec for app management over secure element
19 October, 2011
category: NFC
GlobalPlatform has published a new specification that enables mobile service providers to remotely manage applications residing on any type of secure element (SE) in a mobile phone.
The single, standardized administration protocol defined by the new GlobalPlatform Device: Secure Element Remote Application Management v1.0 specification also features a retry policy designed to ensure that when connection to a network is lost due to poor network coverage or dead battery, management scripts continue to be resent until they successfully reach the desired location within the SE.
The new protocol is fully compatible with the existing protocol used within the GlobalPlatform Card Specification v2.2 – Amendment B. This document, first published in 2008, allows service providers and application developers to remotely manage applets on a SE within a UICC using the HTTP communication and SSL cryptographic protocols.
According to GlobalPlatform, the new protocol should result in shorter time to market for service providers looking to expand support for their application through additional or new mobile phones that use varying SEs, such as a micro SD card, or embedded SE.
“A standardized approach that enables one administration platform to remotely manage applications across all kinds of SEs will stimulate the mass deployment of SEs within mobile phones, and subsequently more secure mobile service applications,” said Gil Bernabeu, technical director at GlobalPlatform. “This technology addresses a real need among service providers in today’s market who are seeking a simplified and standardized approach to remote application management across different handset models.”
According to Bernabeu, GlobalPlatform will aim to drive the deployment of this specification as standard within all phones that support SEs.