A smart card looks like any other plastic card, however, this card comes with a small, built-in microcomputer chip, as well as an integrated circuit that is able to store a process a lot of information. It is often referred to as being a secure, time-efficient device that allows you to access information without using a computer or the Internet. If you were wondering why you should use this card and what are its benefits, take a look at the list below:
How smart cards work?
Source: YouTube
The microprocessors or memory chips in the smart card exchanges data with the card reader and other systems via a serial interface. The card is powered by an external source, usually a reader. The card will communicate with the reader either by using direct physical contact or by using a wireless connectivity standard such as the NFC or the RFID.
The uses of smart cards
They are usually used in applications that need to deliver a fast and secure transaction while protecting personal information, such as credit cards and other payment cards. They are sometimes also used as a document, such as an electronic passport or visa.
The advantages of smart cards
Source: The Sociable
There are various advantages of these cards, and here are some of them:
1.Flexibility – they do have a lot of flexibility. They can store a lot of information, including credit cards, business contacts, family and friends contacts, and identification.
2. Security – each card is individually encrypted and they can only be accessed by a pin number provided by the bank. Hence, the information you choose to store on it will be safe and protected at all times.
3. Data integrity – according to idmanagement.com, the information that you store on the smart card cannot be removed or erased accidentally by any magnetic or electrical way. So, you can rest assured that you will not erase it by mistake.
4. The processing power – almost all smart cards have a CPU, which means they can do other things as well. The CPU can protect the data even more, for example, by requiring you to enter a PIN code. This is perhaps one of the biggest benefits that these cards have over mag-stripe cards, the CPU can actually count. If you get the PIN wrong seven times, the CPU will block you from accessing the card for an hour, or sometimes even a day.
5. The packaging – these cards might not be as cheap as a credit card, smart cards will cost less than $10 each, making them cheaper than other authentication technologies out there, such as digital tokens.
Source: The Economic Times
Conclusion
So, whether this tech is used to give access to a network or for getting a soda at a vending machine, these cards have major benefits that cannot be denied. They remove the need for unnecessary user names and password login. Now, you will no longer need to use a username and password, since these smart cards solve that problem. Hence, do not waste any more time and start researching the types of smart cards that you can get.
