To combat the growing number of malicious attacks on smartphone applications and operating systems, the SIMalliance announced the availability of its Open Mobile API.
For the first time this allows application providers to access and utilize the Secure Element within the internet-connected mobile device, providing highly secure two-factor authentication to enable the secure delivery of a host of NFC, payment and identity services.
Current levels of single factor authentication – where users log in to a mobile application or service using a password – has been shown to be inadequate as attacks on smartphone and tablet applications increase in number and sophistication.
By connecting the application to the Secure Element via the Open Mobile API, many security breaches will become easily preventable, the group said.