The End of Hacking? Why Biometric Cards Are the Future of Security
Bernard Lim, COO of AppsCard Global, discusses developing biometric credit cards that integrate fingerprint authentication into a standard card format to prevent identity theft and fraud. The cards use semiconductor miniaturization to pack over 100 components into a 0.7mm thick form factor without batteries, requiring fingerprint authentication before any transaction can occur.
Summary
In this interview, Bernard Lim shares his 30-year journey in semiconductor engineering, from working at Japanese companies on optical devices like CD-ROMs to co-founding AppsCard Global. Inspired by tech pioneers like HP's founders who started in a garage, Lim transitioned from engineer to entrepreneur to address cybersecurity challenges through biometric technology.
AppsCard's core innovation is a biometric credit card that embeds a complete computer system into a standard ISO card format. The card contains over 100 miniaturized components including microprocessors, memory, NFC processors, and biometric sensors, all within a 0.7mm thickness. Unlike traditional cards, it requires the user's fingerprint authentication before any transaction, making stolen cards useless as 'dummy plastic.'
The technical challenges involve extreme miniaturization using semiconductor processes like die bonding, wire bonding, and SMT assembly. The card operates as a passive device without batteries, harvesting energy from NFC readers. Authentication takes about one second, similar to current tap-and-pay systems, but adds biometric security that could save banks billions in fraud losses.
Lim explains that Malaysia's 52-year semiconductor ecosystem, starting with the 'eight samurai' companies in 1972, provides the necessary talent and infrastructure for such advanced manufacturing. The target market focuses on organizations needing multi-application digital and physical ID solutions rather than simple single-use applications.
Beyond his role at AppsCard, Lim actively contributes to the semiconductor ecosystem through leadership positions in professional organizations, believing that engineers must participate in building the industry rather than just criticizing from the sidelines. He emphasizes that collaboration across the ecosystem - from talent development to supply chains - is essential for deep tech startup success.
Key Insights
- Bernard Lim argues that stolen biometric cards become useless 'dummy plastic' since they require the owner's fingerprint to authenticate before any transaction can occur
- Lim claims that AppsCard packs over 100 miniaturized components into a 0.7mm thick card using semiconductor processes like die bonding and wire bonding, operating without batteries as a passive device
- Lim contends that banks lost $40 billion to identity theft in 2015, and biometric cards could prevent transaction denial since fingerprint authentication provides undeniable proof of user authorization
- Lim believes Malaysia's 52-year semiconductor ecosystem, established by eight companies called 'the eight samurai' in 1972, provides the necessary talent and infrastructure for advanced biometric card manufacturing
- Lim argues that engineers who want to make changes must actively participate in building the ecosystem rather than standing aside and criticizing, which drives his extensive involvement in professional organizations
Topics
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