Chapter List

Introduction

In a broad context, radio transmissionscontaining some type of identifying information are considered Radio Frequency Identification(RFID). This can be a cab driver using his unit number over the air, or the call sign of a radiostation. This chapter discusses the tools, applications, and security of RFID.

RFID is about devices and technology that use radio signals to exchange identifying data. Inthe usual context, this implies a small tag or label that identifies a specific object. The action receives aradio signal, interprets it, and then returns a number or other identifying information. (e.g., What are you? answered with I am Inventory Item Number 12345 ). Alternatively, it can be ascomplex as a series of cryptographically encoded challenges and responses, which are theninterpreted through a database, sent to a global satellite communications system, and ultimatelyinfluence a backend payment system.

Some of the current uses of RFID technology include:

• Point of Sale (POS)

• Automated Vehicle Identification (AVI) systems

• Restrict access to buildings or rooms within buildings

• Livestock identification

• Asset tracking

• Pet ownership identification

• Warehouse management and logistics

• Product tracking in a supply chain

• Product security

• Raw material tracking/parts movement within factories

• Library books check-in/check-out

• Railroad car tracking

• Luggage tracking at airports

What This Book Is and Is Not

RFID Security is focused on thetechnical security aspects of using RFID specifically the security of the physical and data layers(i.e., Layer 1 and Layer 2). The multitude of questions regarding RFID applications are...