The smartcard as a mobile security device

Modern society would like to replace paper by electronic data carriers and mechanical processes by electronic processes. Smartcards offer one means to this end in the form of a personal mobile security device. Personal data can be stored in a mobile personal environment instead of in a central database, and processor smartcards additionally provide a sort of pocket PC that can perform security functions at a higher level of security than an ordinary PC. Interoperability of different smartcards with different smartcard readers and data terminals is very important; therefore, standards exist for the structure of data objects on the card and for coding the commands sent to the card. Biometric user-authentication is becoming increasingly important for smartcards as an alternative to the previously used PIN or password authentication. Additional convenience for the user can be provided by contactless cards.