CAC : Java Glossary

CAC (Common Access Card). The US military has created an extremely good ID system. I hope it is extended to all Americans and eventually to every world citizen. It uses a Smart Card, with a gold contact to an embedded CPU (Central Processing Unit) chip. Inside the chip are one to three digital certificates (private keys). The card has multiple uses:

• Photo identification
• Digitally signing documents.
• Encrypting and decrypting messages.
• It could in theory be used as a debit or credit card.
• It could in theory be used for Internet commerce.

It is extremely difficult to counterfeit.

• It contains information both embedded in the plastic and electronically in the chip.
• It can verify a PIN (Personal Identification Number), which makes it difficult for anyone but the legitimate owner to use the card.

This is the sort of technology that should be used in debit and credit cards. Then you could do secure commerce over the Internet. It could be used for voter ID, medical services ID, drivers licence, welfare ID, unemployment insurance ID, library card, gym membership, universal door key.