Ubiquitous networks will change more than just our households: they will also change our lives outside the house. With a variety of networked devices installed in public and private spaces, we will be able to access information and services, whenever and wherever we want.

Set to play a vital role in this scenario is the mobile phone. In addition to serving as a data terminal, as we see already with i-Mode applications, the mobile phone is beginning to take on the role of an authentication tool for verifying the identity of the individual requesting a service. Already on-line shopping and on-line banking via mobile phone are commonplace. There are even vending machines that allow you to buy a soft drink without using any cash: you simply dial a number on your mobile phone and the bill is settled automatically. In future you may be able to do this on buses and in cinemas. But here too the problem is security. Can we trust it?

Mitsubishi Electric’s security technologies can provide peace of mind. Needless to say, secure communications depend on encryption. Camellia, which is featured on third-generation mobile phones, is an encryption technology based on MISTY that offers both robust security and fast performance. Even if someone were able to eavesdrop, it is very unlikely that he would be able to decrypt vital information such as verification data. But what if someone were to look over your shoulder while you were inputting your password and then actually steal your mobile phone? No problem: you would still be protected by a new personal authentication system designed specifically for mobile phones. Although you have just one password, this system prompts you to input different information each time, so even if someone were to look over your shoulder, they could not guess your password. And even if your phone were stolen, your on-line banking and other services would not be compromised.

Of course, not everything will be based on mobile phones. Thanks to Mitsubishi Electric’s security technologies, even when you are in your car you will be able to enjoy the benefits of ubiquitous networks. For example, there is already ETC, the electronic toll collection system that automatically bills you as you drive past a highway tollbooth. Because of the wireless network link between the terminal in your car and the tollbooth computer, you can cruise straight through without having to stop and without getting caught up in the long queues that form at each tollbooth. Needless to say, security technologies play an important role in making this work.
The data exchanged over the wireless link between car and tollbooth is, of course, encrypted. But what is even more important is authentication. The prepaid ETC cards purchased by car drivers are equipped with a chip that stops criminals from abusing the system through forgery or other nefarious activities. It is only by preventing fraud and abuse in this way that such convenient services can be made available to law-abiding users.

From portable terminals carried by individuals to business applications and the very infrastructure of modern society - Mitsubishi Electric is devising systems that will enable everybody to use ubiquitous networks with confidence, anywhere. However, when this technology becomes widespread and widely accepted, you will no doubt be unaware of such security measures.