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Some basic informations
on smartcard:
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what are
smartcard
-
the reference
standard
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model
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uses
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disponible applications
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- A
smartcard is plastic card with the
dimension of a credit card, with a eletronic chip instead of the
magnetic strip.
- If the smartcard is red by
distance (5/15 cm.) it's called of proximity or contacless
The primary international
standard of reference are:
- ISO 7816-1 define the
material characteristic of the plastic support (dimention, thickness
etc...)
- ISO 7816-2 define the
dimention and the position of the chip and the contact
- ISO 7816-3 define the
transmission protocol and the elettronic signals:
- T=0 protocol of
trasmisssion asynchronous half-duplex
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T=1 protocol of trasmisssion asynchronous
half-duplex by block
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T=14 actually owner
- ISO 7816-4 define the
applicative level and the APDU (Application Protocol Data Unit)
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There are three type of
base smartcard :
- Card with memory chip
to memorize datai.
-
Card with protected memory chip -
more security to the saved data.
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Carrd with microprocessor chip (CPU) -
offer security, autentication, digital signature and possibility of
management of the data. The card with CPU gives also the
pèossibility to encrypt the data (DES, 3DES, RSA,...)
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Smartcard with Memory
- Answer to thei standard I2C
and Extended I2C.
- The memory card are
disponible with EEPROM from 256 byte to 64 Kbyte.
- The memory card use a
syncronic comunication protocol. They doesn't have the capcity to
elaborate or manage file, but only to memorize data.
- The memory card offersthe
possibility to realize soluctions in a simply mode for the many
application that needs low cost and free access to the memorized
data. Exemple: card for the maintenance of car, for the registration
of data of production, etc... The memory card are as floppy disk,
without security and possibility of management file.
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Protected memory card
The protected memory card uses wired logic to
control the access to the data in the writing time.The protected
memory card, type “2 or 3 bus” are consistent to the ISO 7816-3
standard relative to the card “card power” and “Answer to Reset
(ATS)”. Other protected memory card doesn't consistant to this
standard.
- The protected memory card
are adapted for the application that contains informations that
couldn't be illegally, but that doesn't need an hi level of securyty:
points card for fidelity, elettronic pocket etc...
- “2 bus” Card This
family includes the MP32 and MP42 card. 32 byte of the 256
disponible has a bit of protection that permict rhe “locking” of the
data, rendering this byte not more modificable. The card MP42
contain a password of writing (PSC), that offer a big security:
password of 6 esadecimal character that if wrong presented three
consecutive times make the block definitively.
- “3 bus” Card
This family includes the MP18 and MP28 card. All the 1024 byte of
the card “3 bus” has a bit of protection that permict thel “locking”
of the data. The card MP28 contain a password of writing (PSC), that
offer a a big security: password of 4 esadecimal character that if
wrong presented 8 consecutive times make the block definitively.
- In the card of “2 bus” and
“3 bus” all the data can be free read, ovviously the password must
be peresented before of writing. The maximal number of attemps is
limited; if is catch up the card can be read but not write.
Microprocessor Card
(CPU)
Everithing we're going to say
for the smartcard is the same also for the
Token USB. The CPU
car has a microprocesor to manage the operation. The standard that
define the aynchronic comunication protocol are: ISO 7816-3 T=0, T=1,
T=14.
The CPU card suppors:
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file management
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key management
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role of access to the data
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autentication
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cryptography
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generation of casual numbers
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...
- One of the most important
functionof the CPU card is the possibility to manage multiple
applications and memorize them in logic files and directory.
- The CPU card supports more
key levels. You can use key and files to define role of access to
the data and the authentication procedures. Some cards have a
criptogrphy device to protect the data.
- Tipical applications for
CPU card are: credit card, elettronic payment, digital signature,
sure identification. These cards are usefull for all the application
that request a strong controll for the data access.
- Stron mechanism of
athentication help to guarantee that a CPU smartcard will be used
only from its owner and only in same envoirement.
- These mechanism mahe the
CPU card perfect for applications tha request strong and sure
memorization.
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Smartcard uses
The smartcard offer an
excellent mode to memorize data in a way sure and cheap.
The stronger card can offer:
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possibility of authentication
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possibility to cryptography (and decodification)
data
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digital signature
We aspect that the use
of the smartcard in the world of the PC growth quickly. Actually there
is a big interest for Internet and Intranet application. That, with
the growning need of security and the e-commerce, contribute to
increase the demand of smartcard application.
Some of the uses of the
smartcard are:
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digital signature
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banking and e-commerce application, like the
elettronic pocket.
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programs of fidelity
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telecom
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transport
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sanity and education
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security in the access to the computer and
authentication
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cryptography of messages, file, email, immage
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controlled and payed use of services as access to
internet, database...
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automatic distributor (gas,videotape...)
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Disponible application
Click here
to see the disponible application
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