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What is iCLASS?
HID iCLASS is a secure, 13.56 MHz contactless smart card technology used for physical access control, designed to provide high security, mutual authentication, and data encryption.
It is a versatile platform allowing for multiple applications on one card, such as secure door access, cashless vending, and biometric identification.
- High Security: Features mutual authentication and encrypted data storage, making it more secure than traditional low-frequency proximity cards.
- Adaptable Ecosystem: The iCLASS SE platform supports multiple technologies (like HID Prox, MIFARE DESFire) and is designed to handle future technologies.
- Convenience: Cards and key fobs can be read at close range by compatible readers, similar to traditional proximity systems but with higher data capacity.
- Credential Management: The ecosystem allows for local encoding of cards, enhancing the security of the issuance process
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Core Features
- Enhanced Security: iCLASS employs mutual authentication, wherein both the card and the reader confirm each other’s identity, along with data encryption, making it significantly more secure compared to older, susceptible (125) kHz proximity cards.
- Read/Write Capabilities: It features a read/write EEPROM that allows multiple securely separated applications to exist on a single card.
- Versatile Form Factors: In addition to conventional smart cards, this technology can also be found in key fobs, adhesive upgrade tags, and wristbands.