Network Defense Essentials (NDE) Practice Exam 2026 - Free Network Defense Practice Questions and Study Guide

Smart card authentication is a method that involves the use of a physical card embedded with a computer chip containing the user's identification information. This chip can store data securely and performs processes that validate a user's identity without having to transmit sensitive information over the network. When a user presents the smart card to a reader, the device communicates with the chip, verifying the user's identity and allowing access based on the data stored.

This method enhances security by combining something the user has (the smart card) with other authentication factors, such as a PIN or a password. Its effectiveness lies in its ability to prevent unauthorized access, as the card cannot be easily replicated or hacked without the appropriate PIN and physical possession of the card itself.

In contrast, biometric authentication relies on unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints or facial recognition; password authentication involves knowledge-based credentials entered by the user; and token-based authentication typically deals with one-time passwords or devices that generate codes, but these do not involve the hardware component that a smart card does.