Integrated Circuit Identification Cards

Integrated Circuit Identification Cards

Integrated circuit identification cards, commonly known as smart cards or chip cards, are pocket-sized plastic cards that contain an embedded microprocessor chip. These cards are widely used for various applications, including identification, authentication, payment, and access control. The microprocessor chip on the card can store and process data, making it a powerful tool for secure and efficient transactions. Smart cards are designed to be more secure than traditional magnetic stripe cards, as they are much harder to clone or skim. This is because the microprocessor chip on the card can perform cryptographic operations, such as encryption and decryption, to protect sensitive information. Additionally, smart cards can be programmed with multiple applications, allowing them to be used for a variety of purposes. There are two types of smart cards: contact and contactless. Contact smart cards require physical contact with a card reader, while contactless smart cards use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to communicate wirelessly with a reader. Contactless smart cards are more convenient to use, as they do not require physical contact with the reader, but they are also more vulnerable to certain types of attacks, such as relay attacks. Smart cards are used in a wide range of applications, including banking, healthcare, transportation, and government. They are often used for secure identification and authentication, such as in passports, national ID cards, and employee badges. Smart cards are also used for payment, such as in credit and debit cards, and for access control, such as in building security systems.

microprocessor, encryption, contact, contactless, authentication

— Jacob Mitchell

CITATION : "Jacob Mitchell. 'Integrated Circuit Identification Cards.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=356737 (Accessed on October 08, 2024)"