Asia Pacific adopting two-chip ID cards
05 August, 2011
category: Contactless, Digital ID, Government
Governments in Asia-Pacific are planning to adopt the two-chip electronic identification (EID) card, reports ZDNet.
The two-chip card, also called a hybrid card, incorporates two different independently residing chip technologies on the same card. Generally, one is a contactless smart chip with an antenna, while the other is a contact smart chip.
The two chips handle different functions. The contactless chip is used for quick functions, and the contact chip, because it can manage higher levels of security, stores more private and confidential data.
Malaysia is one of the governments moving toward this hybrid EID model, though other Asia-Pacific governments currently have no plans to implement them.
Countries in other parts of the world are exploring the hybrid EID as well; however, some governments specifically opted not to adopt a hybrid EID, citing concerns about security and chip lifespan.
Read more here.