Transforming Enterprise Security with TrustSEC’s FIDO2 Biometric Smartcards: A European Multi Site Case Study
In today’s digital-first business environment, enterprises face ever-increasing cybersecurity threats while striving to maintain seamless employee access to critical systems.For one large European company operating across multiple sites and employing over 2,500 people, these challenges were palpable—especially in locations where internet connectivity was inconsistent. Traditional password-based authentication systems, combined with cumbersome one-time passcodes, had left the company vulnerable to frequent phishing attacks, credential theft, and widespread user frustration.The risk was not just technical it threatened operational continuity, regulatory compliance, and user trust. This case study explores how TrustSEC partnered with the company to deliver a secure, privacy-first, and easy-to-use authentication solution based on biometric smartcards following to the FIDO2 standard, The transformation illustrates a new benchmark in enterprise security and usability, demonstrating how cutting-edge technology can meet demanding business and regulatory needs while dramatically reducing risk. The Challenge: Passwords, Phishing, and Connectivity Risks For years, the company’s reliance on passwords and one-time codes for system access exposed critical vulnerabilities. Phishing attacks were rampant, tapping employee credentials and enabling hackers to bypass weak access controls. The consequences were far-reaching: costly security breaches, failed compliance audits, and a steadily growing IT support burden dominated by password reset requests sometimes accounting for up to half of all tickets. Compounding these issues, the diverse work environments presented a unique set of difficulties. Some sites, particularly manufacturing plants and research labs, lacked reliable internet connectivity, Cloud-dependent authentication systems struggled to function in these offline contexts, jeopardizing productivity and the timely completion of business-critical tasks. At the same time, meeting stringent European privacy and security requirements complicated the picture further. Under regulations like the GDPR and eIDAS, the company needed to implement strong, hardware-rooted authentication methods that preserved biometric data sovereignty meaning biometric information could not be centrally stored or compromised. Employee dissatisfaction and security risks created a pressing mandate for change. The company sought a future-proof authentication strategy that would eliminate passwords, resist phishing, work offline, and ensure seamless adoption and regulatory compliance. TrustSEC’s Innovative Solution: Secure, Passwordless Access with BIO-SLCOS and FIDO2 TrustSEC’s response was a tailored biometric smartcard solution that seamlessly combined security, privacy, and convenience. At its heart was the BIO-SLCOS operating system, designed for secure on-card fingerprint matching meaning biometric data never leaves the card, addressing critical privacy and regulatory concerns. Integrated with the globally recognized FIDO2 protocol, the biometric smartcards enabled employees to replace passwords with fingerprint authentication across Windows systems, VPNs, cloud applications, and mobile devices. The TrustSEC Credential Provider allowed smooth Windows login without a password, while the Guardian SDK extended secure, passwordless access to mobile environments. This architecture offered robust phishing resistance because FIDO2 uses unique cryptographic keys per service, eliminating shared secrets that attackers exploit. Moreover, biometric authentication functioned reliably offline, allowing employees in low-connectivity locations to access systems with no delays. TrustSEC’s solution not only minimized attack surfaces but also simplified IT management and user experience, achieving strict compliance with GDPR and eIDAS by keeping biometric data local and never transmitting it to the cloud. Phased Deployment: Balancing Security, Usability, and Change Management To ensure smooth adoption and minimize disruption, TrustSEC employed a multi-phase rollout tailored to the company’s operational realities. Pilot Phase (6–8 Weeks) The journey began with a carefully controlled pilot involving 150 employees from IT, manufacturing, and finance. Participants received biometric smartcards, enrolled their fingerprints directly on-card, and used them to log into Windows, VPNs, and key applications. This phase targeted two primary goals: measuring real-world usability and evaluating security improvements. Early feedback was encouraging users appreciated faster logins, the elimination of password burdens, and a heightened sense of security. Meanwhile, IT support documented a significant reduction in password reset tickets and phishing-related incidents. Integration Phase Building on the pilot’s success, TrustSEC integrated the biometric system with existing identity and access management infrastructure. The rollout extended FIDO2 passwordless authentication to cloud and web applications, ensuring consistency across all access points. Offline functionality was optimized for manufacturing and remote sites. TrustSEC’s Guardian SDK enabled mobile app protection, securing login experiences on smartphones and tablets across the organization. Organization-wide Rollout The third phase involved staged migration of all departments, prioritizing those handling sensitive data and critical business systems. Smartcard issuance, fingerprint enrollment, and credential lifecycle management were aligned closely with HR processes, streamlining onboarding, role transitions, and offboarding. Training and Support Recognizing the importance of user confidence, TrustSEC developed concise, role-based training modules. These included short “first login” sessions and clear educational materials emphasizing privacy (“your fingerprint stays on your card”), ease, and security benefits. Security teams gained access to dashboards offering real-time insights into login activities and potential anomalies, further bolstering operational oversight. Measurable Outcomes: Security, Compliance, and Efficiency Gains The transition to TrustSEC’s biometric smartcard solution delivered immediate and lasting advantages for the company. Passwords were fully eliminated from daily workflows for Windows, cloud services, and VPN access, drastically reducing exposure to phishing attacks and credential theft. Offline authentication capabilities ensured uninterrupted access for employees at manufacturing plants and remote sites, preserving productivity even in challenging network conditions. Login times accelerated significantly, contributing to user satisfaction and operational efficiency. Password reset requests to IT support plummeted, freeing valuable resources to focus on strategic security initiatives. Comprehensive audit trails documented login activity without ever exposing biometric data, enabling the company to meet strict GDPR and eIDAS compliance requirements. Overall security posture improved, with fewer breaches and phishing incidents reported since the rollout began. This transformation aligned the company with global cybersecurity trends by 2025, more than 70% of organizations are shifting to passwordless models, while authorities such as ENISA and the FIDO Alliance recognize FIDO2 as the gold standard for phishing-resistant authentication. Why This Matters: The Broader Context and Strategic Imperatives Stolen credentials continue to be the leading cause of data breaches worldwide. For enterprises, this represents a persistent and costly vulnerability security incidents now average $4.44 million per breach, emphasizing the financial stakes at play. Organizations using legacy authentication methods expose themselves to rising risk, regulatory
National Healthcare Case Study
Revolutionizing Cybersecurity in Patient Care with TrustSEC Biometric Smartcards Introduction: Cybersecurity at the Core of Healthcare In today’s healthcare environment, cybersecurity is not merely a technical concern—it directly impacts patient safety, trust, and the quality of care. One of Europe’s largest national healthcare systems faced a pressing challenge: safeguarding electronic health records (EHRs), medical devices, and mobile clinical systems from escalating cyber threats, without disrupting frontline clinical workflows. Reliance on outdated password and OTP-based authentication methods left clinicians exposed to phishing attacks, credential theft, and inefficient login processes—threats that jeopardized both lives and sensitive medical data. This case study highlights how TrustSEC’s advanced biometric smartcard technology delivered a secure, user-friendly, and regulation-compliant authentication solution, setting a new benchmark for digital healthcare security. Understanding the Healthcare Cybersecurity Crisis in 2025 Healthcare remains the most targeted industry for cybercriminals worldwide. The 2025 IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report revealed that breaches in healthcare now average $10.22 million per incident—the highest across all sectors. Reports from ENISA and CISA show that 94% of healthcare providers experienced cyberattacks last year, with 73% initiated through phishing campaigns aimed at credential theft. Such incidents have disrupted hospitals globally, causing costly downtime and threatening emergency care delivery. Under evolving regulations such as GDPR and eIDAS 2.0, healthcare organizations are now required to adopt strong, hardware-based authentication while ensuring biometric data sovereignty—a demand that traditional cloud-dependent solutions cannot meet. The Challenge: Securing Patient Care Without Slowing It Down The healthcare system faced a series of interconnected challenges threatening both security and quality of care: Clinicians were bombarded daily with phishing attempts designed to steal credentials. Past cyberattacks had halted essential services, exposing hundreds of thousands of records and taking months to recover. Password management was inefficient and insecure, with frequent credential sharing due to workflow pressures. Strict regulatory requirements demanded hardware-backed authentication with local biometric storage. Unreliable authentication processes delayed treatments and frustrated staff. Leadership recognized that continuing with password-based systems was unsustainable. A future-proof solution was needed—one that combined robust security, ease of use, and regulatory compliance. TrustSEC’s Biometric Smartcard Solution: Innovation at the Frontline TrustSEC introduced the BIO-SLCOS smartcard, a secure smartcard operating system capable of performing fingerprint biometric matching directly on the card. Unlike cloud-based systems, this architecture ensures that biometric data never leaves the card, maintaining data sovereignty and meeting strict privacy regulations. The solution eliminates passwords entirely, preventing phishing and credential theft. Authentication remains reliable even during network outages—a critical feature in emergency medicine. Fully compliant with FIDO2 standards, the system enables passwordless, phishing-resistant logins across PCs, web portals, VPNs, and mobile applications. Integration with hospital systems was seamless via TrustSEC’s Credential Provider, supporting Windows Hello for Business and enabling secure electronic signatures for prescriptions and medical records. TrustSEC’s Guardian SDK further extended protection to mobile and remote teams, ensuring security at every point of care. Phased Implementation: Ensuring Adoption with Minimal Disruption Pilot Deployment: Rolled out in ICU, emergency, pharmacy, and radiology units (200 clinicians). Feedback showed faster logins and improved satisfaction. Enhanced Integration: Added PKI-based digital signatures for legally binding e-prescriptions. Offline Reliability: Optimized authentication for continuity during network interruptions. Full Rollout: Expanded smartcards and FIDO2 tokens across all departments, including homecare and cross-border clinics. Legacy OTP and SMS systems were retired. Training: Introduced “passwordless rounds” and on-demand tutorials for smooth adoption. Measurable Results & Benefits Eliminated Phishing Risks: Password removal stopped credential-based attacks completely. Faster Access: Instant fingerprint login saved minutes per shift, accelerating patient care. Offline Authentication: Operations continued seamlessly during outages. Improved Compliance: Encrypted local storage and audit logs simplified regulatory checks. Reduced IT Load: Password reset requests dropped by over 80%. Controlled Financial Risk: Minimized exposure to breaches, ransomware, and fines. Strategic Lessons for Healthcare Providers Passwordless authentication with hardware biometrics is essential for phishing resistance. Biometric data sovereignty must remain local and off-cloud for compliance and trust. Offline authentication is critical to ensure continuity in emergency care. Embedded, workflow-based training ensures better adoption than classroom sessions. Consolidating legacy tools into a single biometric solution improves usability and reduces complexity. Why Hardware Biometrics Are the Future of Healthcare Security Phishing Immunity: No passwords, no phishing. Privacy-Centered Design: Biometric data remains local and secure. Universal Access: Works seamlessly across devices, networks, and offline environments. Future-Proof: Roadmap includes post-quantum cryptography for next-gen threats. European Healthcare Cybersecurity Context In 2025, over 29 million patient records were exposed in Europe. With breach containment averaging 279 days, patient safety and trust remain at risk. Regulators in Europe and the US emphasize FIDO2 and hardware biometric authentication as best practice. TrustSEC delivers a European-built, GDPR and eIDAS-ready solution to meet this demand. Conclusion: Toward a Secure, Patient-Centered Digital Future This national healthcare system’s adoption of TrustSEC biometric smartcards demonstrates the critical evolution of healthcare cybersecurity. Passwords are no longer sufficient in a world where cybercriminals exploit every weakness. TrustSEC’s passwordless, biometric-driven ecosystem provides unmatched security, privacy, compliance, and efficiency—empowering clinicians to focus on care without compromise. Healthcare organizations must act now to embrace hardware biometric authentication. TrustSEC does more than protect systems—it restores trust, safeguards patient data, and secures Europe’s healthcare frontlines.
FIDO2 Certification with CTAP 2.1 Support
TrustSec Secures FIDO2 Certification with CTAP 2.1 Support – A Game-Changer in Cybersecurity! We’re thrilled to announce a major milestone: TrustSec’s T-Shield FIDO2 Authenticator has officially achieved FIDO2 and U2F certifications, solidifying our position as a leader in cutting-edge security solutions! Built on the robust SAMSUNG OneChip smart card and powered by our advanced SLCOS technology, this achievement underscores our commitment to delivering unparalleled security and innovation. CTAP 2.1 Support: Elevating security standards with enhanced protection and a frictionless user experience. Biometric Strength: Phishing-resistant authentication for ultimate peace of mind. Smart Card Flexibility: Multi-application support with industry-leading security for diverse use cases. Official Recognition: TrustSec is now proudly listed in Microsoft Entra ID attestation as a trusted FIDO2 security key vendor! Achieving this certification reflects our unwavering commitment to cybersecurity excellence. Together, we are driving innovation and building a more secure digital future. LinkedIn #TrustSec #FIDO2 #CTAP21 #U2F #SLCOS #SamsungOneChip #Cybersecurity #SmartCard #MicrosoftEntraID #SecurityKeys #InnovationInSecurity
CPACE Applet
We are pleased to announce significant advancements within the CPACE applet: * CPACE Implementation Version 1.1: This update focuses on enhancing performance, security, and interoperability to address the dynamic requirements of modern payment systems. * BIO CPACE Implementation: We have introduced biometric authentication to CPACE transactions, providing a seamless and highly secure method for contactless payments. Both implementations have achieved functional readiness for PayCert certification, underscoring our dedication to pioneering innovation in the payment industry. Please stay connected for further developments as we continue to advance secure and efficient payment solutions. LinkedIn Post #CPACE #PaymentsInnovation #BiometricPayments #Contactless #PayCert #FutureOfPayments
TrustSec FIDO2 Smartcards – TrustSEC
TrustSec FIDO2 SMARTCARDS RELEASE 2020! Replace password-based authentication with TrustSec FIDO2 Smartcards for a hassle-free, secure passwordless authentication, and a smart design that fits into your wallet. TrustSec Fido2 smartcard – FIDO2 tech combined in smartcards! Smart cards have been internationally recognized for security and protection in companies and authorities for many years – as they are extremely difficult to duplicate or forge and has been built-in tamper-resistance. Passwordless login is a technology game-changer, it brings a monumental change to how business users and consumers will securely log in to applications and services. With FIDO2 technology, TrustSec worked on a variety of solutions/ devices to remove the dependency on password-based logins. Based on both FIDO2 and smartcard qualifications, TrustSec has developed a solution that is a combination of both features to come up with FIDO2 SMARCARDS, a simpler & more flexible solution for secure user authentication. With TrustSec’s new release of FIDO2 Devices, a more up-to-date authentication technology will serve businesses, individuals, and big entities. Fido2 smartcards are securities keys that support the FIDO2 standard, the keys are used to eliminate data theft from hackers over the web. They unlock Windows 10 and Mac plus 2FA for major cloud accounts and Support Google, Facebook, Dropbox, Microsoft account, Salesforce, GitHub, Twitter, and many more applications. For the most interesting part, the new keys are user-friendly, the keys are smartcards to be easily held in wallets or badges, unlike the regular security keys. About FIDO2 Technology FIDO2 is the latest specification of FIDO Alliance (Fast Identity Online), which was created to provide open and license-free standards for secure, Web Authentication. First came FIDO U2F, then FIDO UAF and lately followed by the FIDO2. At its core, FIDO2 consists of the Client to Authenticator Protocol (CTAP) and the W3C standard WebAuthn, which together enable authentication, where users identify themselves with cryptographic authenticators (such as biometrics or PINs) or external authenticators (such as FIDO keys, wearable or mobile devices) to a, trusted WebAuthn remote peer (also known as a FIDO2 server) that typically belongs to a website or web app. How FIDO2 SMARTCARD technology helps at the pandemic response FIDO2 SMARTCARDS are easy and convenient security keys that cope with the significant changes following the recent pandemic. The FIDO2 SMARTCARD supports all of the major security protocols over both Contact and Contactless “NFC” — and the addition of NFC makes it a better option for those who want to use the same key on their desktops, laptops and mobile phones or tablets. Moreover, TrustSec fido2 smartcards serve business the most especially after the pandemic, as businesses are the most affected by post the lockdown all across the globe. We believe stringent rules in the workplace, contactless solutions such as NFC will definitely help decrease infection rates. Based on the International Trade Centre (ITC) publication describing the impact of the lockdown associated with the COVID-19 pandemic response on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a 15-point action plan that encourages businesses, business support organizations, and governments to prepare for a “new normal,” one where society is resilient, digital, inclusive, and sustainable. We believe FIDO2 smartcards will be part of this technology transformation that serves organizations, and governments. Check TrustSec Security keys range to choose from single-factor, two-factor, or multi-factor keys for secure login, over different platforms for different verticals with a variety of authentication scenarios. Fido2 Tokens Biometric Fido u2f security key Biometric PKI Token OTP (one time password) Secure Network Access Secure Data Exchange
Forget your password – use your FINGERPRINT! match on card
Forget your password – use your FINGERPRINT! match on card match on card “Mr. Francis Galton affirms that ‘the patterns of the papillary ridges upon the bulbous palmar surfaces of the terminal phalanges of the fingers and thumbs are absolutely unchangeable throughout life, and show in different individuals an infinite variety of forms and peculiarities. The chance of two finger-prints being identical is less than one in sixty-four thousand million. If, therefore, two finger-prints are compared and found to coincide exactly, it is practically certain that they are prints of the same finger of the same person; if they differ, they are made by different fingers. – Lance”[1] The evolution of the smartcard – biometrics vs. two-factor authentication ( match on card ) Biometric smartcards are multi-factor authenticators (MFA). This is achieved through the addition of an extra layer of security; a fingerprint feature to authenticate the user in addition to the common two factors of authentication used – pin and hardware. The two-factor authentication solutions might expose users to fraud in the event that cards are stolen or pins are cracked. However, unlike standard smartcards, biometric smartcards enhance security on the card due to the probability of a biological feature of a person being identical with another person is less than one in sixty-four thousand million. Biometric smartcards can be thought of as turnkey solution that combines security, flexibility, durability and easy user experience. These cards achieve such security levels thanks to their onboard microprocessors processing the data directly, without remote connections. The biometric technology used depends on the Match-on-Card (MoC) that will store the holder’s biometric data and protect such communications with encryption. Biometric smartcards demonstrate a high level of flexibility as the technology used within the card is adaptable enough to integrate with any applet, is durable enough to last for many years, and provides user-friendliness; the card’s portability makes it easy for users to carry in their wallet. Biometric smartcards are the best solution in providing ultimate security to end-users. Especially in sensitive environments that require a high level of security in logical and system access. Such examples are governmental sectors, where biometric smartcards are used as accurate digital identification solution to access security-restricted buildings or access various government applications (border control, national identification cards, voter registration, and passports). Biometric smartcards also bring a security benefit to the healthcare sector where biometrics could be used by government-affiliated healthcare entities to access a patient’s medical records and ensure fraud prevention. The biometric data never leaves the card. match on card The technology used in TrustSec biometric smartcards eliminates cyberattacks by avoiding the vulnerability of storing the biometrics data on database servers. These servers may be based on insecure networks that are vulnerable to cyberattacks that might lead to abuse of the biometric data of a person. TrustSec biometric smartcards adopt Match-on-Card technology that eliminates the need for the database by both storing and processing biometric data directly on the secure microcontroller of the smartcard. Match-on-Card technology works by comparing the fingerprint presented by the user with the stored fingerprint in the secure environment, without having to send fingerprint data to a terminal or a remote server. Match-on-Card technology is typically performed in three steps, Fingerprint capturing (Acquisition), Features Extraction (Minutiae extraction) into a template Templates Matching. The Match-on-Card feature eliminates the risk of loss or theft of the cards entirely, as there would be no risk of the biometric smartcard being used without the unique fingerprint of its holder. Privacy comes first match-on-card Biometrics are biologically unique to the individual; therefore, once compromised, the individual has no recourse and is at a heightened risk for identity theft and therefore likely to withdraw from biometric enrolment. The majority of the population fear the loss of their identity through identity theft. This, in turn, has raised regulations governing secure biometric data collection, the use of such data and the processing of said data more complex. The gap between enterprises who wish to apply biometric technology and the unease of the users concerning such technology, is solved by the use of Match-on-Card technology to save the users’ identity while applying high-security measures in the enterprise at the same time. About TrustSec smartcard OS “SLCOS” match on card TrustSec smartcard OS is developing an open Java Card operating system that manages the smartcard resources as a principal component in the security chain; it protects the personal identity of the user and provides the required security services to the end-users. The OS works in conjunction with secure controllers from Infineon Technologies. It also allows third-party vendors to build embedded applications and applets without affecting security. The beta version was released in 2016 and TrustSec smart card OS has been in continuous development throughout the last five years over multiple Infineon controllers (SLE78 and SLC52) and is now planning to port its SLCOS to Infineon’s SLC38/B. SLCOS is now compatible with Java Card™ 3.0.4 and Biometry1toN Package from Java Card™ 3.0.5 is also implemented, as well as Global Platform 2.2.1 with MoC schemes (templates stored on the card, matching is done on card). TrustSec has entered into joint agreement with the leading biometric sensors providers in the market to supply biometrically enabled security solutions for identity management, access control, and payment authentication applications. In 2019, TrustSec collaborated with NEXT Biometrics to integrate their fingerprint sensor with TrustSec’s SLCOS operating system with a certified Common Criteria PKI applet providing the first version of its contact biometric smart card. The following year TrustSec made progress in integrating both Fingerprints and IDEX biometrics fingerprint sensors with SLCOS in order to provide both biometric contact and contactless smartcards. Worry-free payments with biometric smartcards solution Biometric technology brings a whole new level of security to contactless payments. No more skimming, no more forgetting which PIN to use, no need to touch the terminal, and no more uncertain payments – only trusted contactless payments. Payment networks and issuers can expect an overall reduction in fraud rates for lost and stolen cards as the