The information on the card identifies the user and the certificate also includes the user’s private key used for asymmetric cryptography.

Pass the Security+ exam the first time you take it.ĬompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-401 Study GuideĪ smart card is a credit card sized card that has an embedded microchip and one or more certificates.

Something you know, such as a password or PIN.Users prove their identity with authentication and there are three factors of authentication. More specifically, each of them are in the Something You Have factor of authentication. These are also known as a common access card (CAC), a personal identity verification (PIV) card, and a smart card. When preparing for security exams such as Security+ or SSCP, you should know the differences between a CAC, PIV, and smart card.