Everything you need to know about Smart Cards

A smart card looks exactly similar plastic card as any other credit/debit card. So, how is a smart card any different from credit card? So, a credit/debit card is made up of simple plastic, on the other hand, a smart has a microprocessor embedded in it. The microprocessor on the smart card provides better security as the data in it cannot be easily read like the magnetic strip on the credit/debit card. Due to its high security, it is rapidly replacing the older issued credit cards used for payments by banks.

Smart cards are defined according to how the card data is written and what type of microprocessor chip is used in the card.

CONSTRUCTION OF SMART CARDS

Smart cards are made of plastic, generally polyvinyl chloride, but sometimes polyethylene-terephthalate-based polyesters, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or polycarbonate. can be contact, contactless, or both. They can provide personal identification, authentication, data storage, and application processing.

Smart Cards have the following characteristics:

• It has dimensions of the credit card 85.60 by 53.98 mm (3.37 in × 2.13 in). Another common dimension of smart card is 5 by 15 mm (0.98 in × 0.59 in).
•  Smart card contains temper resistant security system and it provides various security services.
•  It is managed by a management system that securely exchanges the data stored in the card and uses it for performing specific task of the user through it.
• These cards communicate with external card reader devices.

APPLICATIONS OF SMART CARDS

Smart Cards these days are used in various applications. Some of the important applications are:

•  Financial: Smart cards are widely used in carrying out the financial transactions as ATM cards, credit and debit cards are now also embedded with microprocessor for better security. These are also used as electronic wallets by pre-loading amount in it and using as an alternative for cash. These electronic wallet cards are commonly known as payment cards.
•  Subscriber Identification Module: Commonly called as SIM, are the reduced form of electronic smart cards embedded with microprocessors. The microprocessor contains the data required for the allotment of the specific identification number for the user.
•  Identification: Identity cards used in office and colleges are also a form of smart cards. Smart cards are not always privacy-enhancing, because the subject may carry incriminating information on the card. Contactless smart cards that can be read from within a wallet or even a garment simplify authentication; however, criminals may access data from these cards.
• Public Transit: Smart Cards nowadays are very commonly used for integrated ticketing by many public transit operators.
•  Health care: Smart health cards can improve the security and privacy of patient information; provide a secure carrier for all kinds of records.

Smart Cards are now widely used for encryption of data and ease of carrying information in safe and secured form. The benefits of smart cards are directly related to the volume of information and applications that are programmed for use on a card. A single contact/contactless smart card can be programmed with multiple banking credentials, medical entitlement, driver’s license/public transport entitlement, loyalty programs and club memberships to name just a few.