By embedding Smartrac's new CIRCUS PRO, or any future PRO film or label, into physical products, customers—such as brand owners and manufacturers of branded products—can transform their products into secure digital platforms, delivering unparalleled value throughout the product lifecycle, from the point of manufacture, through the supply chain, distribution channels, point of sale, and customer use phase, to resale and recycling. Key applications enabled by secure product authentication include protection against counterfeiting and diversion, as well as exclusive content and rewards for consumer engagement and customer loyalty programs.
Protection against "the most sophisticated counterfeiting attempts"
"With the number of connected objects expected to reach a record 40 billion by 2022, organizations of all sizes are looking not only for feature-rich connectivity solutions, but also for solutions that can securely protect their brand, products, and customers," said Philippe Dubois, Vice President and General Manager of IoT Security, Smart Mobility and Retail at NXP. "Our NTAG 424 DNA sets the standard when it comes to delivering trusted experiences, and Smartrac's CIRCUS PRO takes full advantage of its cutting-edge security and privacy features to deliver a new generation of NFC tags that can combat even the most sophisticated counterfeiting attempts."
NFC PRO Series: Secure Authentication with Custom Security and Layers.
Smartrac's new CIRCUS PRO foils and tags with the NXP NTAG 424 DNA IC work with all NFC-enabled devices and support real-time tag and message authentication based on AES-128 encryption on certified, attack-resistant silicon. The Secure Unique NFC (SUN) authentication feature enables authentic, integrity-protected, and confidential data exchanges between tags and servers. This high-end security IC option offers enhanced privacy features and on-chip storage of sensitive data, protected by a sophisticated three-step mutual authentication scheme.
Future PRO's features and options will also include different layers of security, allowing customers to enable secure product authentication for a wide range of needs and applications. Offering a variety of NFC product designs, form factors, and IC options to meet individual customer demands, Smartrac will soon introduce more PRO versions of its popular NFC foils and tags, such as BULLSEYE and MIDAS.
Combating counterfeiting and increasing digital consumer engagement
: Secure NFC-based product authentication can be achieved through a selection of verification services to meet the widest possible range of individual customer requirements. Because the secret keys cannot be copied or tampered with, the physical authenticity of the product can be reliably demonstrated once the PRO films and labels are inserted or permanently embedded into the physical product.
Smartrac's new PRO series will also allow customers to take full advantage of the company's IoT solutions portfolio, enabling them to not only minimize product counterfeiting through secure authentication, but also offer exclusive digital content to consumers for greater customer loyalty and satisfaction.
“Today’s launch of the new CIRCUS PRO NFC tag with NXP’s NTAG 424 DNA IC is a milestone for us in two ways: As a precursor to our innovative PRO series, the new tag enables our customers to effectively combat counterfeiting with a range of highly secure functionalities, while simultaneously providing consumers with exclusive, instant digital content through existing devices and channels. Furthermore, the CIRCUS PRO NFC tag, based on NXP’s superior IC, is further confirmation of our proven, long-standing partnership with NXP, which will reshape the RFID market,” commented Hal Hikita, SVP Product Market Development at Smartrac.
In terms of its physical and performance characteristics, the new CIRCUS PRO is part of the highly successful product line that includes CIRCUS DURA, CIRCUS FLEX, CIRCUS ON-METAL and CIRCUS TAMPER LOOP NFC films and labels, which combine small size, cost-effectiveness and superior performance.
For regular and demanding physical environments.
Smartrac's CIRCUS PRO NFC foils and labels with NTAG 424 DNA will be available in large quantities in the third quarter of 2019 as wet foils, as well as the new CIRCUS PRO FLEX wet foils, which come with an additional "glop top" protective layer for the IC and antenna connection area for increased durability in harsh environments.
