Security Tokens

This book discusses security infrastructures of electronic access control systems which are implemented by the use of wireless security tokens, namely contactless or dual-interface smart cards and transponders and the according terminals. In particular, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages, when changing from ordinary mechanical keys and locks to electronic keys (security tokens) and locks (terminals). Additional, we will propose some solutions to overcome the drawbacks caused by the use of electronic keys and locks.

The first part provides the theoretical basis and some basic mechanisms, including a description of the employed components, data transmission, anti-collision techniques, cryptographic mechanisms, and key management.

The second part presents two applications, namely automotive applications, including immobilizers and remote controls, and electronic access control. Here, special attention is given to the authentication process of the employed tokens, the management of physical and logical keys, and the auditing.

The presented mechanisms are especially designed for the special properties of the employed tokens (like unilateral communication, low computing power, and low system resources) and the restrictions caused by structure of the employed network, e.g. parallel use of online and offline terminals.

Keywords: Immobilizer – Electronic Access Control – RFID – Security Token – Smart Cards – Transponders– Security Infrastructures – Loosely coupled Networks – Anti-Collision Mechanisms – Quasi-Random Numbers – Key Management – Key Generation – Unique Keys – KeySets – Session Key Agreement – Authentication – Auditing

Hardcover - 243 pages, it-Verlag, September 2001, ISBN: 3-936052-02-6

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