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412 Chapter 6 • Infrastructure Security: Devices and Media

■ Secure Digital (SD) Cards
■ Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (??PCMCIA)
Type I and Type II memory cards (used as solid-state disks in laptops)
■ Memory cards for video game consoles
■ Thumb Drives

Flashcards have a large variety of uses ranging from a simple data storage solu-
tion for PC card ports in laptops, to holding backup configuration or boot infor-
mation for routers. Since they are small and portable, they are a good solution for
storing limited amounts of data when portability or reliability are key necessities.
While magnets will not cause damage to flashcards, in some cases they can be
damaged by static electricity. It is important to take the standard precautions
needed around most electronic equipment with flashcards.Avoid holding a flash-
card while walking across plush carpet. Flashcards are also easily damaged when
dropped.
Protecting the data stored on a flashcard is another area on which the
Security+ exam focuses. Most early flashcards offered no data protection capabili-
ties whatsoever and therefore pose a security risk. Some new flashcards offer built-
in security mechanisms such as encryption and authentication services.These
require that the user authenticate against the card in order to decrypt the data on
the card. Using these newer cards is recommended, due to the additional security
features.Additionally, it never hurts to encrypt data before placing it on the card.

Smart Cards

Smart Cards refer to a broad range of devices that either allow you to store a small
amount of data, or run some processing routines, or both. Smart Cards are typi-
cally the size of a standard credit card and contain one or more chips embedded in
the plastic.They are used primarily as a form of identification for devices with the
capability of reading them. In addition, they can store data related to the owner of
the card when being used for identification or simply as a small, very portable data
store.
Smart Cards are designed to be tamper-proof and most of the designers do a
good job of this. Some cards are even rendered useless if the card is modified in any
way.The reason behind this design is not only to keep the owner’s data private, but
also to prevent the data from being changed.
When using a Smart Card for identification or authentication purposes, the
goal is to prevent the identification information from being altered. Smart Card

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