A smart card resembles a credit card in size and shape, but
inside it is completely different. First of all, it has an inside -- a normal
credit card is a simple piece of plastic. The inside of a smart card usually
contains an embedded microprocessor. The microprocessor is under a gold contact
pad on one side of the card. Think of the microprocessor as replacing the usual
magnetic stripe on a credit card or debit card.
Smart cards are much more popular in Europe than in the
United States. In Europe, the health insurance and banking industries use smart
cards extensively. Every German citizen has a smart card for health insurance.
Even though smart cards have been around in their modern form for at least a
decade, they are just starting to take off in the United States.
The microprocessor on the smart card is there for security.
The host computer and card reader actually "talk" to the
microprocessor. The microprocessor enforces access to the data on the card. If
the host computer read and wrote the smart card's random access memory (RAM),
it would be no different than a diskette.
Smarts cards may have up to 8 kilobytes of RAM, 346
kilobytes of ROM, 256 kilobytes of programmable ROM, and a 16-bit
microprocessor. The smart card uses a serial interface and receives its power
from external sources like a card reader. The processor uses a limited
instruction set for applications such as cryptography.
The most common smart card applications are:
- Credit cards
- Electronic cash
- Computer security systems
- Wireless communication
- Loyalty systems (like frequent flyer points)
- Banking
- Satellite TV
- Government identification
Smart cards can be used with a smart-card reader attachment
to a personal computer to authenticate a user. Web browsers also can use smart
card technology to supplement Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) for improved security
of Internet transactions.
Discount Security Store offers a variety of 13.6 Mhz smart
cards from manufacturers like HID iClass, Indala, and XceedID. They use a
contactless chip that comes in various memory sizes, from 2K to 16K, and 2 to
16 applications. They can be used for opening doors, vending machines, point of
sale, time and attendance, accounting and payroll systems. Like proximity cards
they come in clamshell cards, printable or ISO cards, with and without a
magnetic strip, key fobs, combination smart/prox cards, and mifare versions.