Smartcard
Security Features
Smartcards are intelligent credit card sized cards with a micro processor and a working memory, as well as memory modules for storing data. The working memory is means that applications can be processed on the card. All of this is controlled by an operating system. It can be considered a micro pc on a card. As far as the login process is concerned Smartcards offer a double security:
- The PIN (Personal Identification Number) must be known
- Possession of the smartcard
The user clearly identifies himself as the rightful owner of the card by entering the PIN. The PIN replaces the password and input of the user ID. The user identifies himself solely relative to the smartcard. The security check relative to the network is a matter between the smartcard and the security system. The login data is stored on the smartcard. When the smartcard is inserted in the card reader it is automatically compared to central information residing on the central security server. The authorization verification between smartcard and card reader, card reader and PC, as well as the verification relative to the destination system occurs on the basis of a secure communication protocol. Smartcards are ideally suited for singleSign On solutions.
Smartcards are multifunctional by design and enable a wide variety of applications:
- Payment processes (cashless payment)
- User login (for access protection for local data /corporate network)
- Data encryption
- Electronic wallet
- Digital signature creation