What is a Smart Card Reader
A smart card reader provides the physical connection between your HHS smart card ID badge and applications on your computer.
A smart card contains a gold computer chip that not only stores public key infrastructure (PKI) digital certificates and their associated private keys, but performs cryptographic functions (i.e., encryption and decryption) with those certificates and keys. The smart card reader provides the physical connection between the smart card's computer chip and your computer.
Smart card software, known as middleware, is the communications link (e.g., translator) between applications on your computer and the specialized computer code located on the smart card chip.
There are three types of smart card readers:
| USB |
Built-in to Keyboard |
Built-in to Computer |
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Most computers at NIH are required by NIH Smart Card Authentication Policy to be equipped with a smart card reader by December 31, 2010.
Obtaining a Smart Card Reader
Your IC is responsible for providing you with a smart card reader. Please contact the NIH IT Service Desk to request one.
ICs may acquire any transparent reader (i.e., smart card reader) on the GSA FIPS 201 approved product list.
Information and Assistance
For additional information, search the NIH IT Knowledge Base for tutorials, instruction sheets and user guides or refer to the appropriate How-To Guide.
For questions or user support, please contact the NIH IT Service Desk.