Thursby Software Systems has released PKard Reader, the first secure smart-card reader solution for Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. The product consists of a $150 card reader the plugs into the 30-pin connector on the bottom of the device, and includes a free iOS app. PKard reader enables people to access web portals, collaboration sites and email from their iPads and iPhones with secure authentication to their personal smart cards. PKard Reader works with CAC, PIV, PIV-I or CIV smart cards, and includes built-in mini USB and micro SD ports for future expansion.
With PKard Reader for iOS, iPads and iPhones don't need to be connected to a Mac or PC. Users can authenticate with the same card they use for their desktop or laptop. No changes are required of an organization's servers. Thursby Software also offers PKard for Mac, which is software for Mac OS X 10.5.8 and later.
Many US government agencies, including the US Department of Defense, as well as some corporations, use smart cards for secure authentication.