Smart cards, merging security and data portability, offer endless possible uses. Here are just few examples of smart card applications.

Financial Transactions and Online Banking

Smart cards provide the best solution in terms of security and ease of use to financial institutions willing to process online transactions. Whether you are an online broker, a bank or any other financial institute willing to give your clients the highest level of security while accessing your network, smart cards are the best answer.

Sm@rtchip's readers and O/S ensure all the information stays encrypted and, even more important, the authentication process takes place in the reader itself and not over the Internet. This makes the authentication process resistant to hacking. Smart cards present the only method combining both encryption and a physical barrier (the reader and card), thus providing the ultimate security level. It is no accident that leading credit cards companies such as American Express, Visa and MasterCard had chosen smart card technology as the E-Commerce and E-Banking core platform, with millions of units expected to be shipped during the next few years.

E-Commerce

Smart card technology is currently the safest way to conduct business over the Internet. Because the authentication process is confined to the keyboard and reader the entire process is inured to fraud or interception. Only smart cards can firmly establish the identity of the person at the other end of the wire and can provide an undeniable proof that a transaction truly occurred. So, whenever money is involved · smart cards offer the edge in security.

Secured Data Base Access

Many companies face a problem these days: on one hand they want their employees to have remote access to the Intranet and to other corporate resources, but on the other hand the possibility of a hacker (causing havoc on their data assets) or a competitor entering the company's database (and gaining access to their sensitive files) is a nightmare. Well, there is no need to make a compromise: smart card brings a physical barrier in addition to the logical one (username and password). This way you can let your employees (and your clients) have a remote access to the corporate database while still achieving high level of security. You can even define different levels of data access, allowing for partial or full access to the company's most sensitive files. Compatible with all Microsoft's standards regarding smart cards, our solutions offer remote networking access as well as local one. Sm@rtchip's products can be integrated with VPN products as well, adding the defense of a smart card to the protection already offered by the VPN. The smart card technology offered by Sm@rtchip makes it possible to access the VPN using high security key, without the problems associated with passwords.

ISP Secured Login

Using smart card technology, Internet Service Providers can offer a convenient login method. The use of a smart card as the login ·key· makes it possible to offer secured, encrypted e-mail service as well. Smart card can also provide an easy way to manage different service levels to different subscribers as well as to manage the billing system. Smart card technology makes it possible to charge the client per use, per time, etc.

Pay Per View

Smart cards represent the optimal solution to Pay Per View services. They offer not only the ability to determine the exact services a subscriber is entitled to, but at the same time can serve as a way to restrict the access to certain channels not suitable for everyone (i.e. adult channels). This way a cable carrier can simply provide 2 smart cards (or more) that can be programmed each with a different access level. Smart cards provide cost saving way to manage the billing system and to assure payments.

Software Plug Protection

Smart cards can be a very useful substitute to software plug protection. Unlike the plugs, which usually should be plugged to the printer port, Sm@rtchip's reader is plugged to the keyboard port or to the USB port. As a result the very common interfering with the printer is totally eliminated. Sm@rtchip's readers connect seamlessly with the keyboard or USB port and they cause no interfering whatsoever. By using smart card, software makers can charge for new software and upgrades by supplying new smart card as the key for the software.

Restricted Web Access

More than ever before, many parents are worried about what their children get exposed to while surfing the Internet. While the Internet is today's key to a wealth of knowledge and entertainment it can also posses a danger because of the easy access to adult content. Young children like to try things, and sometimes they can find themselves watching inappropriate sites. While there are many software programs, which are intended to restrict such access, children are smart and in many cases find the weak points in such programs. Only a way that combines both a password and a card can be a true safeguard. This way the children must overcome a physical barrier and not only a logical one. Attentive ISPs already understand the importance of providing parents with peace of mind while their children surf the Internet.

E-Signature

Did you know: the US president, Bill Clinton, signed the ·Digital Signature Act of 1999· using a smart card!

Smart cards offer the most reliable way to ensure one's identity. They present a much better solution than a Digital Certificate by itself. In a smart card the private key is not kept on the hard disk, but remains encrypted inside the smart card, thus making it inaccessible by hackers. Recognized by many governments (including the US government) as a legal way to sign documents, smart cards are becoming the digital standard for E-Signature. Allowing for online documents and agreements signing, smart cards technology makes the Internet a place where business can be carried out safely and securely. Contracts and agreements can be signed regardless where the 2 parties are located.

Data Storage

Smart cards can be used to store any type of data, whether medical data, ID card, drivers data and many other types as well. Sm@rtchip is able to supply smart cards and readers for any kind of application, with or without the need of secured access.

E-Government

Smart card technology has many useful applications that can serve the needs of governments and citizens alike. Providing easy updating combined with high security and privacy, smart card can serve as voter card, passport, driver license, etc. The US government already has plans to widely introduce smart card technology for identification and authentication purposes as well as for access to health and medical records, E-Signatures, equipment authorization and licensing. Smart card technology can save governments hundreds of millions of dollars, allowing for easy and safe communication between the state and the citizens.

E-Cash

All credit card companies are working on ways to make the most of smart card technology and embed that technology as a part of their infrastructure. Besides providing a higher level of security than current magnetic stripe cards, smart cards provide a secure way to transfer money between cardholders over the Internet, using PCs, PDAs or Cellular Phones. Using smart cards can benefit the banks in many ways, especially by providing better security measures for online transactions and information access.

The U.S. General Services Administration, Government smart card Handbook states, “Potential applications for agencies to explore include automated fare collection, vending machine/cafeteria purchases, retail purchases and parking payments.

SmartMail

Authentication software for enabling totally secure signed and encrypted spam-free e-mail.

Spam e-mail is a burgeoning problem, and is becoming dangerous. Apart from the time wasted daily in sorting through e-mail, discarding unwanted items, there is a growing danger of opening items containing computer viruses and worms, which can not only wreak havoc on the user's local computer, but can clog networks, and attack other computers.

SmartMail gives preferential treatment to e-mail that has been digitally signed using an identity (i.e. certificate) obtained specifically for that purpose. Using the mechanics of PKI, SmartMail certificates will have a type of mail designation (commercial, business, personal). If a sender uses the wrong type of certificate for sending a message, the mail will be rejected.

 Member club

Membership smart cards build customer loyalty. The system provides reports of loyalty points earned through purchases, a summary of redemptions, transactions voided, balance inquiries and other loyalty program activities.

E-stamp

A secure smart card solution with stored value authorized to print postage stamps through the Internet.

Smart card technology is currently the safest way to conduct business over the Internet. Because the authentication process is confined to the keyboard and reader the entire process is inured to fraud or interception. Only smart cards can firmly establish the identity of the person at the other end of the wire and can provide an undeniable proof that a transaction truly occurred. So, whenever money is involved · smart cards offer the edge in security.

E-casino

Online gaming represents the fastest growing form of entertainment in the world. A global business with dramatic potential scale, its evolution depends upon the emergence of providers who are committed to the highest standards of customer service and responsibility.

Sm@rtChip’s e-casino solution provides a secure access smart card solution and facilitates interactive play and e-cash.

Secure content download

Be sure you are downloading authentic files. Secure content download allows for secure download of PDF files with electronic signature and authentication.

Employee ID card

Personal ID cards with picture, biometrics and digital identification with a digital reader.

Sm@rtChip’s Employee ID card provides the following advantages as explained in the GSA smart card Handbook.

Advantages of smart card based solutions:

Portability. One of the most fundamental smart card characteristics is its data portability. By adopting smart cards, a company is able to maintain data on a form factor (i.e., the smart card token) that can be transported to any physical location. The smart card portability allows data to move with the user. Data on the card can be accessed wherever and whenever it is needed. Therefore, companies with a mobile workforce that need to transport information to various locations should consider smart cards. Smart cards can provide various levels of security to ensure data integrity. When considering the portability of data you should also consider how the data is going to be protected from illicit interception, modification or substitution. Smart cards are designed to address all these concerns.

Information Sharing. Smart cards enable the sharing of data across disparate systems. The smart card can move information between applications. Data can be written to the card from one legacy system at the first provider’s office and be read from the card to update a legacy application in the second provider’s office. Companies that work closely with other organizations and need to frequently share data across systems are good candidates for smart cards.

Processing Capability. Smart cards are able to perform data manipulation and calculations in a variety of locations. Also, smart cards can securely maintain data on the card. The processing capability of a chip can be used to protect the data on the card. For example, the card can require a PIN to access data or use encryption to protect data and to enhance the security of the information. Companies that need to be able to transport, store, process and update data securely would find smart cards useful.

Identity Authentication/Information Security. As a result of the ongoing problem of identity theft, the fact that companies are moving increasingly to electronic commerce and/or electronic service delivery, and the growing use of web-based applications, it is becoming increasingly important to verify the identity of the transaction originator and receiver. By providing a mechanism for secure identity authentication (through a digital certificate and/or biometric template), the smart card provides a means for the cardholder to identify himself/herself in cyberspace. Companies that are contemplating the use of electronic transactions with other agencies, businesses, or the general public should consider the smart card as a token to secure these transactions.

Identity authentication has also become increasingly important for physical access to facilities, buildings, and bases. Because of the storage capability of smart cards, a biometric template or an electronic image can be stored on the card and then checked against the individual attempting to gain access to the facility. When the smart card itself is used to perform the one-to-one identity verification rather then external equipment, a high degree of confidence and security of the credential’s verification is achieved.

Automatic Forms Population. Moving from paper forms to electronic form submission could save significant staff time. The smart card provides the capability to populate forms with demographic data carried on the card, thereby reducing the redundant capture of data.

Multi-Application Enabler. Because of the technical limitations of other card technologies, card platforms have traditionally supported single applications. By leveraging the robust technology associated with smart cards, more than one application can reside on the card platform. Some examples of applications are time and attendance, physical and logical access, and e-purse.

Updateable Applications. Other card technologies require static applications. Once a card is issued, any changes require the card to be re-issued. Smart cards built on an open platform are dynamic and can accept new applications and data structures even after the card has been issued. Companies that contemplate frequently changing needs and addition of new applications should consider smart cards.

Support for Multiple Technologies. Smart cards support different technologies and interfaces including contact and contactless RF. Further, chips can be embedded in proximity cards and can also be combined with magnetic stripe or bar code technologies. Biometric and PKI technologies can also be added to the smart card functionality for a layer of added security.

Remote access

Remote access is the Sm@rtChip solution which provides secure controlled access for telecommuting from an offsite computer or PDA.

Smart cards can provide significantly enhanced security features that allow the card to operate as an authentication token for secure remote access to terminals and networks (such as local area networks (LANs) and the Internet), as well as for physical access to buildings, rooms, parking lots, transit and other facilities.

Sm@rtChip is an automated system that controls an individual’s ability to access one or more computer system resources such as a workstation, network, application, or database. The remote access control system requires validation of an individual’s identity through some mechanism such as a PIN, card, biometric, or other token. It has the capability to assign different access privileges to different persons depending on their roles and responsibilities in an organization.

The tremendous expansion of interest in Internet access has generated increased concern over the security of data transmission and user authentication. Secure access is of interest for other secure remote access applications, such as home banking, wireless systems, cellular, and satellite-based systems. Sm@rtChip provides a secure and portable authentication token for secure remote access.

Health Card

Sm@rtChip’s contact or contactless smart card solution for the medical and health industry provides high security medical file storage with multiple levels of access for prescriptions etc.

The Health Card is a smart card that contains the personal, medical and insurance information needed most in a medical setting. The cards can be read by smart card readers carried in participating emergency response vehicles and by PC-based readers located in participating hospital emergency rooms, physician offices, clinics, pharmacies, and retirement facilities.

Participants carry the card with them at all times, giving medical personnel immediate access to their concise medical history, current medications, allergies, the names and telephone numbers of family or friends, and other information necessary for medical treatment decisions. The Health Card allows participating medical personnel to respond to a patient's needs more effectively because pertinent information is immediately available when and where it is needed.

The Health Card can easily be updated as new services are performed and new medications are prescribed so your card will always contain up-to-date, vital medical information. The Health Card can save the time and the endless frustration of filling out one long medical form after another.

Download more information - Health Card Solution

E-ticketing

Travel ticketing and reservation high security smart card solution accessed via computer or PDA eliminates paper tickets and boarding passes.

Smart card technology is currently the safest way to conduct business over the Internet. Because the authentication process is confined to the keyboard and reader the entire process is inured to fraud or interception. Only smart cards can firmly establish the identity of the person at the other end of the wire and can provide an undeniable proof that a transaction truly occurred. So, whenever money is involved · smart cards offer the edge in security.

E-trading

e-trading is the investment management solution with a high security access card for online transactions.

Smart cards provide the best solution in terms of security and ease of use to financial institutions willing to process online transactions. Whether you are an online broker, a bank or any other financial institute willing to give your clients the highest level of security while accessing your network, smart cards are the best answer.

Sm@rtchip's readers and O/S ensure all the information stays encrypted and, even more important, the authentication process takes place in the reader itself and not over the Internet. This makes the authentication process resistant to hacking. Smart cards present the only method combining both encryption and a physical barrier (the reader and card), thus providing the ultimate security level. It is no accident that leading credit cards companies such as American Express, Visa and MasterCard had chosen smart card technology as the E-Commerce and E-Banking core platform, with millions of units expected to be shipped during the next few years.

Vehicle maintenance

Vehicle Maintenance is a smart card based complete maintenance record application. You can store Insurance, Fuel Consumption and Repair Information.

Vehicle Maintenance is a solution combining loyalty card features with a warranty service compliance incentive.  A car dealer or manufacturer in cooperation with a major oil company can structure an incentive and warranty program using the Vehicle Maintenance smart card solution for data storage, report generation and compliance functions.