A Smart access control card looks and feels like a credit card but has an electronic memory chip hidden within it. The cards can be either “contact” or “contactless” cards.

Contact versus Contactless
Smart cards have two different types of interfaces: contact and contactless. Contact smart cards are inserted into a smart card reader, making physical contact with the reader. However, contactless smart cards have an antenna embedded inside the card that enables communication with the reader without physical contact. A combi card combines the two features with a very high level of security.

The chip stores data and programmes that are protected by advanced security features. Contactless smart cards are passed near an antenna (Reader) to carry out a transaction. Contactless cards are the ideal solution when transactions must be processed very quickly, as in physical access control, mass-transit or vending services. The entire surface of the card may be custom printed before or after encoding of the card.

Smart cards are secure. Information in a smart card is held in the most secure manner technically possible on today's market.

Secret code protection, file secrecy attributes, object secrecy attributes, encryption and authentication are the tools of computer security that are embodied in the smart card. Most smart cards utilise the MifareLegic and GemPlus.

Common Smart Card Applications
•Security (including storing of Biometric templates such as fingerprints on the card)
•Secure logon and authentication of users to PCs and networks
•Loyalty Schemes
•Cashless Vending
•Sport and Recreation Management
•Communications
•Banking
•Health
•Transport

Smart cards have a long life span, typically having on average up to 10 years of data retention. The cards use a 13.56MHz state-of-the-art contactless indentification technology for access control solutions, providing a higher security and improved read time than traditional 125 kHz proximity solutions.