Smart Card Vendors
Smart cards are a form of digital identity card that is microprocessor-based and contains memory chips. They contain a basic operating system that allows them to securely store, transmit and protect data.
They are used for a variety of applications, including identity and access, transport and financial services. These include e-tickets, credit cards, IDs and passports.
ICMA
The International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA) is a non-profit association that provides information and resources for members and the industry. Its membership includes card manufacturers, personalizers, issuers and suppliers. Its mission is to support the card manufacturing industry and its customers worldwide by promoting business, innovation, technology and the exchange of ideas.
The organization maintains numerous training and education programs for the card manufacturing industry. These include the ACE program, which offers an advanced level of knowledge and expertise to professionals in the industry. There is also an ACE-Commercial training series, which gives sales and marketing staff at member companies the opportunity to learn about card manufacturing.
ICMA also produces a monthly magazine that covers issues relevant to the card manufacturing industry and a weekly e-newsletter that includes industry and member news, product releases and standards updates. Its publications are widely read by both industry and end users.
As a nonprofit, ICMA receives most of its income from dues, rents and royalties from members and from grant funding. It also receives a portion of its revenue from program services and contracts.
Its research and development department develops white papers on various topics related to local government, including policing strategies, smart cities and cybersecurity. It also disseminates educational materials to influence local government professionals and young people.
In addition, it publishes two annual reports that analyze the card manufacturing industry. These reports are free to members and provide insight on global views, industry verticals and geographic regions.
The organization also provides its members with access to an ethics advisor and a voluntary credentialing database that identifies ICMA professional managers who are qualified by experience, education and adherance to high ethical standards. The program helps members identify and quantify smart card vendors the unique expertise they bring to their community and focuses them on lifelong learning and professional development.
EMue
EMV (or “chip and PIN” or “chip and signature” cards) are credit and debit cards that use a smart chip instead of a magnetic stripe. This makes them more secure and reduces the risk of counterfeiting.
A smart card is a small computer that stores and transmits data. These chips are used to process payment transactions, access accounts, and control security systems.
They are typically made from a thin layer of plastic laminate. They can be battery-powered or battery-free.
Complex Cards are a type of smart card that combines multiple functionalities, such as audio and text input. These cards have several advantages over their simpler ancestors, such as the ability to support communication protocols, such as contact, contactless following ISO/IEC 7816 and magstripe.
These smart cards can also compute a cryptographic value, such as a One-Time Password (OTP), that is generated by a cryptoprocessor encapsulated in the card. In addition, Complex Cards can be used to store a seed value that can be used to identify each OTP.
The seed value must be stored securely inside the card to prevent unauthorized prediction of OTPs. This functionality is required to make Complex Cards usable for electronic transactions that require secure user authentication.
In a typical smart card system, each user has their own unique user identifier (UID). This identifier is used to identify the account holder and provide access to the smart card system.
However, this identifier can be compromised by man-in-the-browser malware that changes the UID and then uses it to modify a transaction without the user’s knowledge. To protect the system from this threat, banks in Europe and Canada have moved to offline authentication using a protocol called DDA.
Ellipse
Ellipse is a Los Angeles-based fintech company that shapes the future of payment security. Its EVC(tm) technology combats Card-not-Present (CnP) fraud by replacing a static 3 or 4-digit security code with a dynamic security code. The EVC All-In-One module uses a built-in screen to display a refreshed security code during every contact or contactless EMV transaction, rendering stolen card information unusable for fraudulent online payments.
Ellipse’s patented technologies enable smart card manufacturers to use their existing dual interface payment card manufacturing process and supply chain to build battery-free, second generation Complex Cards with display capabilities. This enables them to address banking, transit and prepaid cards markets.
The IC market for smart cards has been growing rapidly due to the rising penetration of IoT devices, increasing adoption of digital technologies in telecommunications, BFSI, government and healthcare, and transportation industries, and increasing electrification in the transport industry. Some of the key players in this market are Infineon Technologies AG (Germany), NXP Semiconductors N.V. (Netherland), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (South Korea), STMicroelectronics N.V. (Switzerland), Microchip Technology Incorporated (US), CEC Huada Electronic Design Co., Ltd. (China), Analog Devices, Inc. (US), Sony Group Corporation (Japan), and Toshiba Corporation (Japan).
Smart card vendors are working to provide a range of features on their cards. Many of them are incorporating fingerprint sensors, biometrics, and Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. Others are working to reduce costs and increase security by incorporating a secure cryptoprocessor into their cards. A number of these companies are also experimenting with smart cards that include a display. Some of these cards are being used in government applications, such as emergency responders who can bypass organizational paperwork and focus on responding to an emergency.
HID iClass
HID iClass is one of the world’s leading smart card vendors. It manufactures a wide range of cards, readers and other accessories that are used for access control, time and attendance and cashless vending.
The iCLASS platform is designed to make access control more powerful, versatile and secure by providing encryption for radio frequency data transmission between the credential and reader and mutual authentication. It also offers advanced interoperability in applications such as access control, network log-on security, cashless vending, time and attendance and event management.
iCLASS SE is part of HID Global’s next generation secure access smart card vendors control platform and open ecosystem based on the Secure Identity Object (SIO), a new portable credential methodology, and HID Global’s Trusted Identity Platform(tm) architecture for advanced applications, mobility and heightened security. It features multiple securely separated application areas that are each protected by 64-bit diversified read/write keys, allowing complex applications and future expansion.
It is available in 2k bit (256 byte), 16k bit (2K Byte) or 32k bit (4K Byte) memory configurations. It can be added to with a magnetic stripe, barcode, anti-counterfeiting feature, custom artwork or photo ID. It meets ISO standards for thickness for use with direct image and thermal transfer printers.
These iCLASS cards are similar in size to a credit card and are available in both PVC and composite polyester/PVC constructions. They are durable and have an abrasion resistant surface.
This card is an ideal choice for those who want a card that will last for years to come. It can be printed with an ID card printer and is also compatible with a slot punch. This card is great for a company that wants a card that can double as a door key and a lab access card.
MIFARE
MIFARE is a family of contactless smart card products from NXP Semiconductors. It was introduced in 1994 and has since become a popular technology for transport ticketing, identification, access control and fare collection systems worldwide.
MIFARE cards are also used in a variety of loyalty programs and payment schemes. These programs can allow customers to earn bonus points when making purchases or to redeem these points for cash coupons and other rewards.
These cards are small enough to be housed in key fobs and stickers, which can be used by anyone with a smartphone or other device that can read the chip. These cards can be made with a variety of different materials, including plastic and metal.
They are also available in a high frequency and ultra high frequency hybrid configuration, where HF is used for simple access control and UHF is used to track people’s attendance and locations. This combination can be used for low-risk access control, loyalty and cashless catering and is a great alternative to traditional cards.
Moreover, MIFARE products can be used in conjunction with other NXP technologies to make security even more advanced. For example, MIFARE Plus EV1 can be programmed with either Crypto01 or AES encryption. This allows users to choose a stronger level of security for their system, without having to replace all their readers at once.
NXP’s MIFARE product line also includes a series of ultralight chips, which are designed for inexpensive applications that require basic cryptography and security features. The chips are ideal for public transportation, event ticketing and loyalty programs. In addition, they can be used with pre-paid membership cards and cash cards.
