{"id":9520,"date":"2026-01-21T14:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alfapass.be\/?p=9520"},"modified":"2026-01-21T14:37:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T14:37:21","slug":"is-a-physical-smartcard-secure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alfapass.be\/en\/is-a-physical-smartcard-secure\/","title":{"rendered":"Is a physical smartcard secure?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Digital identification and authentication are evolving rapidly. Across ports, logistics and industrial environments, an increasing number of solutions are emerging that promise greater speed, efficiency, and security. In this context, the physical smartcard is sometimes portrayed as outdated and less secure, partly because it can be shared between users.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

But is this criticism justified? In this article, we examine common concerns about the physical Alfapass Smartcard<\/a> and place them in the proper context.<\/p>\n\n

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Can a smartcard be shared?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

It is true that an Alfapass Smartcard can be shared … just like an identity card. However, anyone who misuses a smartcard – or allows it to be misused – may be held liable for the resulting consequences.<\/p>\n\n

The same reasoning applies to any solution that relies on a single authentication factor, whether that factor is a smartphone or a smartcard. This is exactly why Alfapass uses multi-factor verification. The smartcard does not have to stand alone; in critical infrastructures, it is in fact recommended to combine it with one or more factors, such as:<\/p>\n\n