Smart Card
iCLASS Smart Card Technolgy
iCLASS smart cards and readers make access control more powerful and more versatile, offering enhanced security through encryption and mutual authentication. At the same time, iCLASS is user-friendly, delivering the convenience, affordability and reliability of contactless technology for which HID is known worldwide.
Encrypted Communication
The communication between an iCLASS reader and card is encrypted using a secure algorithm so the transaction between the card and reader cannot be “sniffed” and replayed to a reader. The encryption protocol uses a combination of diversified keys, unique 64-bit card serial numbers and mutual card and reader authentication.
Capability to Add Other Applications
The iCLASS chip not only stores HID access control information, it also has memory space available for other applications. iCLASS cards are currently available with 2k bit, 16k and 32k bit memory capacities, and depending on the amount of memory available and the number of memory areas, iCLASS cards can serve as multi-application credentials that can be used for many purposes.
Since the memory can securely store any kind of information, applications for iCLASS include biometrics, secure computer/network authentication, health record management, time and attendance, digital cash (cafeteria and vending) and many, many more.