Black Box ServSwitch Secure and Secure PLus, SW4007A-USB Smart card reader, Smart Card Security

Smart card reader

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The ServSwitch Secure PLUS models include a smart card reader which allows you to insert your security card for authorization.

INSERT CARD

CHIP DOWNWARDS

Secure Plus

ERR PWR

Smart Card Security

Due to the functions fulfilled by smart cards, it is necessary to grant them two-way data flow, rather than restricting data to a single direction as imposed within all other areas of the ServSwitch Secure PLUS. This means that data can potentially be read from and written to the smart card.

The Secure Switch PLUS emulates the same action as unplugging the card from one computer’s card reader and plugging it into the next computer’s card reader. The Secure Switch does not restrict or interfere with the encrypted communication between the computer and the smart card. The protection against data leakage between computers by means of storage of data within a smart card must therefore be provided by the smart card software in the same way that such protection would need to be provided if multiple card reader units were connected to the computers.

The ServSwitch Secure cards reader circuitry works in the following way:

•Every computer channel within the ServSwitch Secure PLUS has its own dedicated smart card reader circuit to which the smart card socket is connected only when the relevant channel is selected.

•When the channel is switched, the smart card socket is first powered down and then completely re-initialized for each new channel.

Custom configuration service

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Using the smart card reader

The instructions given here are general advice and may be superseded by procedures stipulated by your organization.

Note: The channel can be changed before or after inserting the smart card.

To use the smart card reader

1Align your smart card with the reader slot located in the front panel of the unit. Ensure that the gold contacts of the card are facing down.

2Press the required channel select button (if the required channel is not already selected).

3Follow the on screen instructions issued by the selected computer.

For larger installations we offer a custom configuration service where the ServSwitch Secure PLUS can be internally altered to accommodate particular requirements.

In situations where a card reader is required only for some of the networks linked to the ServSwitch Secure PLUS, we can irrevocably disable the card access abilities of any channel to suit.

Other custom configurations are available to order.

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