1. An Introduction to Smart Cards and RFIDs

Security systems often include specialised modules that are used to build the foundations of attack-resistant security. One of the most common modules has been the smart card; however, there are often misconceptions about the definition of the smart card and related technologies, such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), as well as the requirement and justification for using them in the first place. These misconceptions are fuelled by the ever evolving nature of applications, security technology, personal devices and the growing threats that they must deal with. There is also a question of whether smart cards/RFIDs should really be in a book about embedded security, but we will see that the “embedded” aspect is growing ever stronger especially with developments in the mobile phone area. This chapter will consider a range of smart cards and RFIDs, and associated applications. It will also briefly cover the traditional manufacture, personalisation and management aspects, illustrating how they are challenged by new mobile developments.