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Security Fundamentals & Crypto · Foundational

Proximity Card

Contactless access card read by radio frequency when held near a reader, commonly used for badge entry.

Definition

Proximity cards use RFID (often 125 kHz) or NFC/smart card technology (13.56 MHz). Legacy 125 kHz prox cards can be cloned easily, so modern deployments use encrypted smart cards such as MIFARE DESFire or HID iCLASS SE/Seos. Badges should be combined with PINs or biometrics for high-security areas.

Example

Employees tap their badges on readers at the lobby turnstiles.

Exam tip

Older 125 kHz prox cards are easily cloned; use encrypted smart cards and multifactor entry.

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