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What is the primary role of smartcards in a PKI?

What is the primary role of smartcards in a PKI?

PrepAway - Latest Free Exam Questions & Answers

A.
Transparent renewal of user keys

B.
Easy distribution of the certificates between the users

C.
Fast hardware encryption of the raw data

D.
Tamper resistant, mobile storage and application of private keys of the users

Explanation:
A smart card, which includes the ability to process data stored on it, is also able to deliver a two-factor
authentication method as the user may have to enter a PIN to unlock the smart card. The authentication can be
completed by using an OTP, by utilizing a challenge/response value, or by presenting the user’s private key if it
is used within a PKI environment. The fact that the memory of a smart card is not readable until the correct PIN
is entered, as well as the complexity of the smart token makes these cards resistant to reverse-engineering and
tampering methods.
Incorrect Answers:
A: Transparent renewal of user keys is not the primary role of smartcards in a PKI.
B: Easy distribution of the certificates between the users is not the primary role of smartcards in a PKI.
C: Fast hardware encryption of the raw data is not the primary role of smartcards in a PKI.

Harris, Shon, All In One CISSP Exam Guide, 6th Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2013, pp. 200, 201
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamper_resistance


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