We have collected the most frequently asked questions about contact cards and their benefits in terms of security and efficiency.
CONTACT CARDS
Contact cards feature a small electronic component on the outside, usually gold or silver in colour, and either square or rectangular in shape, known as a contact chip. Inside the chip is an electronic circuit, also called a micromodule, which contains either memory or a microcontroller. The micromodule has tiny cuts, which represent the contacts used to transfer data externally; it may have 6 or 8 contacts.
How does contact card technology work? Chip contact cards are read by inserting the card into a contact card reader.
Contact cards are governed by the international standard ISO 7816 and can be divided into three categories:
- Cards with free memory (I2C read technology): These contain an integrated I2C bus chip, with no read or write password, and memory sizes ranging from 2 kBytes to 1024 kBytes.
Examples of free memory cards include 24C02, 24C04, 24C08, 24C16, 24C64, 24C128, 24C256, and 24C512.
The main applications for contact cards with free memory include access control in hotels and vending machine configuration, where firmware downloads are required. - Cards with protected memory: These are the most widely used types of cards. They have a password that prevents writing, though reading is free. Memory sizes range from a few bytes to 1 kilobyte. Protected memory contact chip cards include the 4442 chip (compatible with SLE4442), 4428, and 4432.
Contact cards with protected memory are used for many applications: contact cards for access control in hotels, campsites, gyms, schools, and universities; secure contact cards for employee access and employee ID; fuel cards, and electronic purse for vending machines. - Microprocessor cards: These are used for applications requiring high security. They contain a mathematical processor that allows data encryption and decryption (3DES, RSA, depending on the contact card chip encryption file size). Typically, this type of card also has an onboard operating system.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CONTACT CARDS
Contact cards for secure data storage
The main advantages of contact cards relate to security: chip contact cards provide greater protection against cloning compared to technologies such as magnetic stripe cards. Additionally, they are less sensitive to dust and weather conditions, and they do not become demagnetised.
Contact cards offer a more robust solution for safeguarding sensitive information and secure data storage. When comparing a contact card vs magnetic stripe card, chip contact cards are clearly superior in terms of security and durability, making them the preferred choice for environments where data protection is crucial.
DISCOVER THE BEST CONTACT CARDS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Best contact card solutions
Choosing the best contact card solutions for small business and large business also involves selecting the most suitable material for your needs. At Partitalia, we offer a range of materials compatible with the application of contact chips: PVC, which is temperature-resistant, flexible, and offers excellent printability; PETG, known for its high print quality and resistance to chemicals; degradable PVC, which breaks down faster than standard PVC due to the presence of microorganisms that speed up decomposition in microbe-rich environments; and recycled PVC, made from the waste material of standard PVC production. Both degradable and recycled PVC are more sustainable options, while maintaining the same technical properties as standard PVC.
For businesses looking for durable and secure cards, a contact card system offers a reliable solution, ensuring data protection while allowing for high levels of personalisation. At Partitalia, we produce custom contact cards, with logos and designs chosen by the client. We offer card printing using offset 4-colour printing, silkscreen printing, digital printing, UV spot varnish, and hot stamping. The personalisation of chip contact cards can be done using thermographic printing, laser printing, inkjet printing, and embossing.
FAQs contact cards
What is a contact card, and how does it work?
Chip contact cards work by integrating a small square or rectangular electronic component, which is called contact chip. The operation of these cards is simple: just insert the chip contact card into a contact card reader to trigger the opening of the gate or authorise the transaction.
How does the chip in a contact card communicate with a reader?
The contact chip contains an electronic circuit, also called micromodule, which contains a memory or microcontroller. The micromodule has 6 or 8 small cuts: these are the contacts for transferring data externally.
What are the benefits of using a contact card?
The main benefit of contact chip cards is security. Contact cards provide high protection against cloning.
What industries commonly use contact cards?
Chip contact cards are commonly used for identification and access control in hotels, gyms, companies, schools and universities. Other uses of these cards include fuel cards, e-wallets for vending machines and the configuration of vending machines.
How secure are contact cards?
Contact cards are secure and offer valid protection against cloning. Compared to magnetic stripe cards, chip contact cards are less sensitive to dust and weather and do not demagnetise.
What is stored on a contact card’s chip?
The data stored on a contact chip card can vary depending on the specific use of the card, but generally includes information such as: personal data (name, surname, date of birth, and other identifying details); access credentials (username, password, and other authentication and authorisation information); and credit (if used with an e-wallet function).
