Magnetic Identity Card
marc chesneau @ stock.adobe.com
Magnetic cards are used to prove people's identities in exclusive premises or online environments. The cardholder's identity information is stored as binary code on a magnetic stripe on the card's back using high coercivity (HiCo) and low coercivity (LoCo). The first uses a stronger magnetic field and is recommended for long-term uses, while the second is more fragile and used for short-term applications.
To gain access to a given place or resource, a stripe card reader is necessary for the user to swipe. The data is read and decoded as the magnetic stripe passes over the reader's head, which validates the data and grants access to the user. For added security, an optional PIN or password can be required.