Unlocking the Power of Smart Cards: Enhancing Security and Streamlining Access Control in Today's Organizations - MarketUpdate

Good morning, and welcome to Market Update. Today, we are going to explore credentials. You know, the plastic cards most people wear around their necks that can serve as a photo ID, as well as their means of entry into a building or room, or grant them access to a device like a radio, a set of keys, or maybe even unlock a computer. These key cards, badges, or credentials, as we call them, are security devices that allow or deny access and provide an audit trail for investigation purposes if needed. The thing is, most people do not understand how they actually work. Today, we are going to explore just what is going on when you present that card to a card reader and it goes "beep."

What are they?

(125KHz) A 26-bit credential refers to a type of access control mechanism that uses a 26-bit data format for the identification of users. This format is commonly used in proximity cards or key fobs, which are employed in security systems to grant or deny access to a physical or digital resource.

The 26-bit format is composed of two parts: a facility code (also known as a site code) and a card number (or user ID). The facility code is an 8-bit value, allowing for up to 256 unique facility codes. The card number is an 16-bit value, allowing for up to 65,536 unique card numbers within each facility code. Together, they form a 24-bit data string, with the remaining 2 bits typically used for error detection or other purposes. While 26-bit credentials have been widely used in the past, they are considered to have limited security due to the relatively small number of possible combinations. As a result, many organizations have moved to higher-bit systems that offer increased security and scalability.

(13.56MHz) A smart card with 13.56 MHz refers to a type of contactless card that operates at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. These cards use Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to communicate with a compatible card reader, enabling secure and efficient data exchange.

The 13.56 MHz frequency is a globally recognized standard for contactless smart cards, as defined by the ISO/IEC 14443 standard. These smart cards are also commonly known as proximity cards or RFID cards. They are widely used in various applications such as access control systems, public transportation, payment systems, and identification/authentication systems.

Smart cards with 13.56 MHz frequency typically offer enhanced security features compared to lower frequency cards (e.g., 125 KHz). They can support encryption, mutual authentication, and more complex data storage capabilities. Additionally, they often?have a shorter communication range, which reduces the risk of unauthorized interception or "skimming" of the data stored on the card.

More on smart cards or 13.56MHz:

A smart card is a physical card embedded with an integrated circuit (IC) chip, which can store and process data. The IC chip can be either a microprocessor or a memory chip. These cards can be used for various purposes, including secure identification, authentication, data storage, and even financial transactions.

Smart cards come in two types:

1. Contact smart cards: These cards require physical contact between the card and a compatible reader. The card has metal contacts on its surface that must be inserted into a reader to enable communication between the card and the reader.
2. Contactless smart cards: These cards use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to communicate with the reader without physical contact. They operate at different frequencies, with the most common being 13.56 MHz, as specified by the ISO/IEC 14443 standard.

Smart cards are widely used in various applications, such as:

• Access control systems (e.g., building access, computer access)
• Payment systems (e.g., credit cards, public transportation fare cards)
• Identification/authentication (e.g., national ID cards, passports, driver's licenses)
• Healthcare (e.g., storing patient information and medical history)
• Telecommunications (e.g., SIM cards for mobile phones)

The use of smart cards enhances security by enabling encryption and mutual authentication between the card and the reader. They also provide a higher level of data storage and processing capabilities compared to traditional magnetic stripe cards.

How do they work?

Let's take a look at an example of how a smart card can work in the context of access control for a secure office building:

1.???An employee is issued a smart card containing an integrated circuit (IC) chip with unique identification information and security features. The card can be contact-based or contactless.

2.???The office building has smart card readers installed at the entrance doors, elevators, or other restricted areas. These readers are connected to an access control system that manages and validates access permissions.

3.???When the employee approaches the entrance door, they either insert the contact smart card into the reader or hold the contactless smart card near the reader.

4.???The reader communicates with the smart card, exchanging encrypted data to authenticate the card and verify the user's identity. This process may include mutual authentication, where both the card and the reader confirm each other's legitimacy.

5.???Once the smart card is authenticated, the access control system checks the employee's access permissions. If the employee has permission to enter the building or a specific area, the system sends a signal to unlock the door.

6.???The access control system may also log the employee's entry time and location for record-keeping, security, or attendance purposes.

In this example, the smart card serves as a secure means of identification and access control, ensuring that only authorized individuals can enter the building or restricted areas. The use of encryption and mutual authentication between the smart card and the reader helps prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive data stored on the card.

But how does it actually read the card, it seems like "magic?"

Inductive coupling is a method of wireless power and data transmission between two devices through the use of electromagnetic fields. It plays a key role in contactless smart card systems, where data is transmitted from the card to the reader without any physical connection.

Here's an explanation of how inductive coupling works when card data is transmitted to a reader:

1.????Both the contactless smart card and the reader have internal coils (antennas) that can generate and receive electromagnetic fields. When the card is brought within the reader's proximity range, the reader generates an alternating magnetic field using its coil.

2.????The magnetic field induces an electric current (also known as an electromotive force) in the coil within the smart card. This process is called electromagnetic induction. The induced current provides power to the integrated circuit (IC) chip on the smart card, allowing it to function without an internal power source.

3.????Once the smart card is powered up, it modulates the magnetic field generated by the reader to transmit data back to the reader. This modulation is done by changing the load on the card's coil, which in turn affects the magnetic field. The reader's coil detects these changes and demodulates the signal to extract the data transmitted by the smart card.

4.???The reader processes the received data, which typically includes identification information, access permissions, and other relevant data. It then uses this information to determine if access should be granted or denied and performs the necessary actions accordingly.

In summary, inductive coupling allows contactless smart cards to transmit data to the reader wirelessly, using electromagnetic fields and electromagnetic induction. This process enables secure, efficient, and convenient communication between the card and the reader, making it a popular choice for access control, payment systems, and other applications.

?How can it help my organization stay secure?

Using smart cards as part of your organization's access control system can significantly enhance security in several ways:

1.???Authentication and identification: Smart cards provide a reliable method for verifying the identity of individuals accessing your organization's facilities or resources. By requiring employees and visitors to use a smart card for entry, you can ensure that only authorized individuals have access.

2.???Access control: Smart cards can store and manage access permissions, allowing you to restrict access to specific areas within your organization or to certain digital resources. This ensures that people only have access to the areas and systems that they need for their role, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or information leaks.

3.???Encryption and mutual authentication: Smart cards can support encryption and mutual authentication between the card and the reader, making it more difficult for attackers to clone or tamper with the cards. This protects your organization against fraudulent access attempts and helps maintain the integrity of your security system.

4.???Logging and monitoring: When integrated with an access control system, smart cards can help you track employee movement within your organization. This can be useful for monitoring attendance, identifying unusual access patterns, and investigating security incidents.

5.???Scalability and flexibility: Smart cards can be programmed and reprogrammed easily, allowing you to update access permissions as needed. This enables you to adapt your security system to the changing needs of your organization, such as adding new employees or updating access levels for existing employees.

6.???Multi-application support: Smart cards can be used for various applications beyond access control, such as secure logins for computer systems, payment systems, or identification. This allows you to implement a single, secure solution for multiple use cases within your organization.

In conclusion, understanding and implementing smart card technology in your organization can greatly improve security and access control. By leveraging the advanced features and capabilities of smart cards, you can maintain a secure environment, effectively manage access permissions, and ensure that only authorized individuals have access to your facilities and resources. As technology continues to evolve, it's crucial to stay informed about the latest advancements in security solutions like smart cards to protect your organization and maintain a high level of safety and efficiency.