Secure Symmetric Authentication for RFID Tags

The project ART proposes to enhance passive RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags with cryptographically secure authentication. Starting with a short introduction into common RFID systems with passive tags, we present a motivation why secure authentication with standardized symmetric crypto algorithms for RFID tags is necessary for many applications. We demonstrate vulnerabilities of current RFID systems and explain how application of an authentication mechanism can solve them. Furthermore we explain how authentication protocols work and how they can be included in the RFID protocol standard ISO 18000. By presenting the interim results of ART, we will show that the proposed enhancement is feasible with current RIFD infrastructure and silicon technology used for RFID tags.