June 2017 www.SecurityInfoWatch.com / Security Dealer & Integrator 35
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Request information: www.SecurityInfoWatch.com/10215705
ily obtain; however, only the receiving
party has access to the decryption key
that enables messages to be read.
Using one or both of these keys,
access cards may be authenticated to
readers and to the back-end system.
Many modern cards support symmet-
ric cryptography such as 3DES or
AES, which is used by the govern-
ment to protect classified informa-
tion, or TEA (tiny encryption algo-
rithm), noted for its high speed of
transaction.
Some higher-grade cards support
asymmetric cryptography such as
RSA. Where asymmetric encryp-
tion is used, no valuable master
keys need to be stored in the door
controller, which makes the result-
ing design and maintenance less
complex.
Adding Encryption to an
Access Control System
Integrators should consider 13.56
MHz smart cards to increase secu-
rity rather than 125 KHz proximity
cards. One of the first terms you will
discover in learning about smart
cards is "Mifare," a technology from
NXP Semiconductors.
e newest of the Mifare stan-
dards, DESFire EV1, includes a
cryptographic module on the card
itself to add an additional layer of
encryption to the card/reader trans-
action. is is amongst the highest
standard of card security currently
available. DESFire EV1 protection is
therefore ideal for sales to customers
wanting to use secure multi-appli-
cation smart cards in access man-
agement, public transportation
schemes or closed-loop e-payment
applications.
Valid ID is a relatively new
anti-tamper feature available with
contactless smartcard readers, cards
and tags. Embedded, it adds yet
an additional layer of authentica-
tion assurance to traditional Mifare
smartcards. Valid ID enables a
smartcard reader help verify that the
sensitive access control data pro-
grammed to a card or tag is indeed
genuine and not counterfeit. ■
»
Scott Lindley
(Scott.Lindley@
farpointedata.com) is
president of Farpointe
Data. Request more info
about the company at
www.securityinfowatch.com/10215927.