Contactless Smart Card
Whether used by businesses, governments or healthcare organizations, smart cards support a range of applications that require secure and convenient data storage. Some of these applications leverage features such as authentication and encryption to protect information privacy.
Contactless smart cards communicate over radio waves with a contactless card reader, which is inserted into a conductive contact plate on the surface of the card. These devices are a convenient and secure way to make electronic payments.
Authentication
A contactless smart card is a plastic card that contains a chip or processor that acts as a security token. It can be used for a variety of applications, including payment, identity and access. The chips or processors on the cards exchange data with a card reader over radio waves.
The card is typically the same size as a credit or debit card, and it can be made out of metal or plastic. The microprocessor or memory chip on the card can contain a secure operating system that lets it store, transmit and protect data.
Unlike bar code tags, smart cards can be read by a number of compatible readers. Some readers are designed specifically for particular card types, while others are compatible with most cards.
These readers typically are located near PIN pads or cash registers, as well as on turnstiles and station platforms in public transportation systems. They are also used for health care and security systems.
They are widely accepted in many countries worldwide, and are becoming increasingly popular as a method for electronic payment. Moreover, they are a convenient way to avoid carrying cash and coins in pockets or wallets and are especially hygienic.
A smart card also provides a means for users to authenticate themselves using a PIN code or biometric information. These methods provide a physical factor of authentication, which is more likely to be trusted than a password or other digital means.
The ability to securely identify and verify a user is a key feature of smart cards, making them a popular option for organizations looking to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information. Additionally, a smart card can perform attestation to prove that its certificate is not tampered with, which makes it even more secure than passwords or RFID cards.
This security is further enhanced by the fact that a contactless smart card can be inserted into a reader without making direct physical contactless smart card contact. This enables the card to communicate with the reader via a small antenna that is embedded inside the card.
Data Storage
A contactless smart card can store data in a variety of ways. For example, a card can be embedded with a microprocessor or a memory chip. It can also use encryption technologies to keep communications private and protect the card’s contents.
Unlike magnetic stripe cards, which have limited capacity for data storage, smart cards can be used to store up to 8,000 electronic bytes of information. This allows the card to record information such as a customer’s identity and access privileges in real time. The information can be stored on the card or transmitted to a central computer for file updating.
The information on a smart card is encrypted and can be protected by a PIN or biometric. This makes it harder for a hacker to access the card’s contents without a physical connection, thereby preventing unauthorized access and misuse.
Smart cards have become a standard for many applications, such as identification and authentication for business and government services. They are also used as National eID cards, smart health cards, and electronic passports.
These cards can be made from metal or plastic and connect to a reader by direct physical contact (chip and dip) or through short-range wireless connectivity standards such as RFID or near field communication. The wireless connectivity eliminates the need for a digital interface between the card and a reader, reducing transaction costs and maintenance expenses.
There are two main types of smart cards: those that rely on a microprocessor and those that rely on memory. A microprocessor-based card contains a chip that can add, delete, and manipulate data. This type of card is similar to a miniature computer with an input/output port operating system and a hard disk with built-in security features such as encryption capabilities.
Another type of smart card is the hybrid card, which has both memory and a microprocessor on board. This allows it to function in a dual capacity as a proximity card for accessing restricted areas or devices and a contact smart card for signing in or verifying personal information.
Some contactless smart cards are battery-powered and can store a small amount of power for use by the chip and the read/write interfaces. Other cards are powered by a built-in inductor, which uses the principle of resonant inductive coupling to capture some of the incident electromagnetic signal, rectify it, and use it to power the electronics of the card.
Security
A contactless smart card provides users with a secure way to store their personal data and perform transactions without carrying cash. These cards are designed with a tamper-resistant microprocessor to provide a high level of security for the data and information stored on them.
This feature makes the card an ideal storage medium for private keys, passwords and other sensitive data that contactless smart card needs to be protected from unauthorized access. The embedded chip implements cryptographic algorithms and can encrypt and decrypt data on the card.
Most smart cards are certified to be secure by independent security testing and evaluation laboratories, assuring that the hardware and software conform to industry and government security standards. This allows them to be used in security-sensitive applications, including e-ID, access control, and e-commerce.
These cards are available in various form factors and can be inserted into a reader or device that uses radio-frequency (RF) technology to communicate with them. The card can be a plastic or metal piece that connects to the reader via direct physical contact — known as chip and dip — or through a short-range wireless connectivity standard, such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) or near-field communication (NFC).
Many consumers prefer a contactless smart card over a traditional magstripe credit card because of the increased security it offers. Unlike magnetic stripe cards, they are tamper-resistant and have a strong encryption engine to thwart hacking attempts.
In addition, these cards offer a higher degree of privacy as data can be stored on the card itself and not in a central database or network. This enables the user to have more control over how and when they want to share this data.
However, even a highly tamper-resistant smart card is vulnerable to attacks, such as differential power analysis (DPA). This attack involves measuring the time and electric current required for certain encryption or decryption operations.
This is a major concern for organizations that use contactless smart cards in e-commerce and security sensitive applications. It is essential for a card to be secure in order to ensure that customers have confidence in the transaction and that their personal information is not compromised in any way.
Ease of Use
Contactless smart cards are a popular payment option for consumers because they allow for faster, safer transactions. They also help protect cardholders from identity theft and fraud by eliminating the need for physical contact with card readers.
Compared to magnetic stripe cards, contactless smart cards offer greater security, a more reliable transaction experience, and a lower cost of ownership. They are also easier to use, requiring no PIN or password.
A contactless smart card consists of a micro-controller, memory and an inductive antenna that communicates with a reader through RFID or NFC technology. The card communicates with the reader via a private encrypted protocol without the need for any contact.
The technology is currently being used for public transport, retail tagging and animal chipping applications. It is becoming a standard in many cities around the world.
For example, London’s Oyster and Sydney’s Opal have a contactless card interface that allows users to pay for their tickets without touching the reader. This is a significant step forward for the public transport industry as it improves speed of throughput and eliminates the need for expensive ticket printers.
A key benefit of contactless cards is that they can be used by people with disabilities, including visually impaired individuals who may not have a wallet. This is a particularly important consideration in areas where accessibility and safety are a priority.
These technologies are also gaining popularity in businesses as they allow for greater automation and security. They can also help businesses reduce the number of touch points required to access their buildings.
Some companies are looking to replace traditional key cards with contactless cards because of the increased security and convenience they can provide. However, this may require a redesign of existing facilities in order to incorporate the new technology.
The technology can be embedded into a wrist watch or in other small, portable devices such as key fobs. It is also becoming more common in vehicles such as car navigation systems and mobile phones, where it enables seamless wireless communication between the device and the reader.
