Smart Card Alliance Studies RFID Tags, Contactless Smart Cards

"With contactless smart card technology already well established in access cards and transit fare payment cards and now being introduced in next- generation electronic passports and general payment cards, we thought it was important to help people understand the different technologies being used," said Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of the Smart Card Alliance.

"There is a big difference in the security and privacy requirements for a chip the vet uses to identify your new golden retriever if she gets lost and the one in a security badge or a contactless payment card. As contactless smart card technology finds its way into ePassports and new forms of payment this year, it's important for everyone to understand how much more effective contactless smart card technology is at privacy and security than traditional RFID technology."