Securing Windows Server 2003

Chapter 10. Smart Card Technology

Smart cards—credit card-sized cards with embedded electronic circuitry—are becoming the preferred way for users to identify themselves. Smart cards are rapidly becoming less expensive and easier to use, and Windows Server 2003’s built-in support for smart cards makes them instantly compatible. In this chapter, I’ll introduce you to smart cards, explain their advantages and disadvantages, and discuss how Windows Server 2003 interfaces with them.

What Are Smart Cards?

Smart cards most often look like credit cards, with the addition of a small set of electronic contacts embedded in the surface of the card. You’ve undoubtedly seen such contacts, as they’re used in a myriad of places such as credit cards, video arcades, and digital satellite receivers. A typical smart card is shown in Figure 10-1.

Figure 10-1. A typical smart card

Smart cards can take other physical forms, too, such as miniature versions that comfortably fit on key chains. USB key fobs that contain a smart card chip are also becoming popular, as they contain both the interface (reader) and the card. All these varieties operate essentially the same. So although this chapter will refer to them generically as smart cards, they may not take the shape of a card at all.

Smart cards provide one of the best means of electronic identity validation currently available. Consider how a user like David ...