Private keys, shared secrets and other cryptographic material are assets that must be accordingly protected against threats. The most common protection is to deposit such assets in hardware keys.

Chips cards represent the most common type of hardware key. They are made of plastic, with a chip inside. Usually, a cavity of the size of the chip is cut in the card and the chip is bonded there. In the case of contactless chip cards, the chip, including its antenna, is embedded inside the card.

Siemens chip cards are of top world quality.