Access to buildings, use of parking facilities, and even the purchase of lunch can all be achieved on a single card. The benefits of smartcard technology include the ability to have multiple applications residing and operating independently on a single card. In these scenarios, higher levels of security become more important.
There are different methods for reading smartcards, with corresponding levels of security. "The card serial number (CSN) method, adopted by many access control systems, does not provide a high enough level of enhanced security," explains Graham Dawson, major accounts manager for Cardax (International).
"Security is compromised from the possibility of other companies being able to read the CSN. This poses a huge consideration when the smartcard option is becoming increasingly popular in the global market," he explains.
"With the multipurpose smartcard option providing an integrated card capable of supporting access control information, as well as information for other applications and services, Cardax gave careful consideration to ensure the most secure method of data storage was adopted", adds Dawson.
"An alternative method of encryption is the key to higher levels of security. This enhanced security is achieved through using sector-encoded information. Cardax locks data with an encryption key of 48-bits. Data transmission between the card and the reader is also encrypted. Cards are also encoded with an issue level to improve card management. This encryption provides the kind of card programming that Cardax clients expect," says Dawson.
Bi-directional data communications with full error checking, encryption and communications monitoring (to ensure the reader is responding and connected to the system) are integrated into Cardax readers. Function keys (which can be used to set intruder alarm panels), are also all integrated into the CardaxFT Intelligent Door Terminal.
Additional features include the backlit keypad, and LCD display that provide comprehensive feedback to the user. The LCD display provides visual information and instructions additional to the audible feedback, and include; Present Card, Disallowed Entry, Alarm Set, Enter PIN, Open Door, thus making the reader easy to use. The Enter PIN feedback is especially important for organisations that extensively use PINs for identification.
Cardax has selected Philips Semiconductors contactless Mifare Standard technology to provide the platform for its smartcard range. The range includes the CardaxFT intelligent door terminal, Cardax Prox, Cardax Prox Plus, Cardax Encoder III (for the encoding of cards), and the Cardax smartcards themselves - pre-printed and printable with a dual tech option with a magstripe is available.
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