Smart card applications in security and data protection

Abstract

The several security elements of the smart card are based on phisical and logical barriers.Materially, the smart card is a monolithic component including a microprocessor and a memory of 8 K bits, this memory being indelible.In addition entry test points have been destroyed before activating the smart card.In practice it is impossible to read, modify or duplicate the contents of the smart card.Logically, the chip is able to memorize the different wrong access attempts and invalidate the electronic circuit after three repeated attempts for example or N attempts on the whole.Let’s see in addition that the dialogues between the chip and the exterior depend on a random value, which is a known element of security and a protection againts the passive intrusion and possibilities of simulation.What are the uses of the smart card, specially in metter of protection of information and more generally in security?They concerned:IdentificationAuthenticationEnciphering and key managementThey allow the security of:The access to premises or to a networkthe payment ot P.O.S. or at distancethe transmission in networks, electronic messeging for instanceaccess to services such as: broadcast videotex or toll TV, interactive videotex, database.