Using UPEK’s fingerprint authentication solution, Cypress Semiconductor Corp. has developed a reference design for USB flash drives (UFDs) protected by fingerprint authentication technology---authenticating users on the UFD system instead of on a PC. The new CY4665 reference design uses UPEK's TouchStrip Fingerprint Authentication Solution along with Cypress's EZ-USB NX2LP-Flex USB controller to address the growing need from corporate IT managers to allow enterprise data to be portable and accessible offline while keeping sensitive data secure.

Article Tools

• 

With the UFD reference design from Cypress and UPEK, manufacturers of UFDs and peripheral suppliers can add convenient biometric security that allows only those who register their fingerprints to access data on the drives with the swipe of a finger. The reference design features hardware-based authentication for the strongest data and privacy protection available, while enabling complete mobility across devices and multiple operating systems. All fingerprint matching functions (template extraction, storage and matching) are conducted in a dedicated UPEK security processor on the drive, providing the convenience of true portability and protection from PC security risks.

The CY4665 is bundled with UPEK's Protector Suite Token application software, which simplifies access to data, applications and websites.

"Data on USB Flash Drives is vulnerable when taken outside the security of the office environment and can be easily lost or stolen," said Matt Branda, marketing manager for Cypress's High Speed Peripherals Business Unit. "The CY4665 Cypress/UPEK reference design's flexibility and performance make it easy to design UFDs that are extremely secure while still being convenient to access."

The UPEK/Cypress CY4665 reference design offers a complete turnkey solution including hardware, software and plastic design to enable fast time-to-market and reduced integration costs for UFD manufacturers and peripheral suppliers.

The new CY4665 reference design can be downloaded free of charge from Cypress in the "Reference Designs" section at www.cypress.com.