The card should be compatible with multiple operating systemsĪvoid CAC readers that limit usage on a single operating system. The best CAC reader should be compatible with Windows, Linux, Mac, and others. Some rare models are compatible with android systems, allowing you to access your data on the go. How do you tell whether a CAC reader is secure enough? Look for standards compliance and certifications: ISO/IEC 7816, USB CCID, PC/SC, EMV 2011 Ver 4.3 Level 1 and GSA FIPS 201, and others. The encryption on your CAC reader should be hard to crack. Otherwise, cyber-criminals could still get hold of your sensitive information. The main reason for using a CAC is to achieve a high level of data protection. Here are some of the tried and tested buying criteria: Security is of paramount importance

I have a model that works seamlessly and feels durable. Since I couldn’t possibly do without them, I had to invest time into research to find the best buy. Some were so fragile that they would break after a few weeks of use. For others, compatibility with my OS was always problematic. I always need to access DOD’s CAC restricted websites on the go. In the early days, my experience with CAC readers wasn’t rosy. I’m in the Navy Reserves and rarely stays at one place for a whole week. You can pay bills or contact business transactions securely.They strengthen data integrity as soon as you unplug your CAC reader, your session on a website ends automatically.You can use them to remotely access classified government information that you have rights to.You can use them to access securely stored information on smart cards including pins, passwords, credit cards, and family contacts.For that matter, to get access to a website or database with restricted rights, you will need a CAC reader that uses secure encryption technology. If you handle sensitive government or corporate information, authentication by CAC helps to minimize the risk of data breaches. The disheartening fact is that no one is immune to the pervasive nature of cyber threats.

Governments are also hacking governments, businesses, and individuals in a cyber-warfare in which you shouldn’t want to be a pony. Data breaches are a common occurrence today, carried out by many threat actors, including hackers and identity thieves.

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