CAC Reader / Smart Card Reader

Rocketek CAC Smart Card Reader - DOD Military USB Common Access Card Reader - Compatible with Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10, Mac OS X / RT-SCR1 ID / IC Bank Card Reader. $11.99 $ 11 99 Prime. FREE Shipping on eligible orders. 4 out of 5 stars 574. Some IOGear CAC readers have a firmware version that will not work on a Mac (AU9540), this page will show you how to change it to AU9520, which will work on your Mac using a program called EepromMP.

The IOGEAR GSR202 is a TAA compliant USB Common Access Card Reader for military, government and even private sector workers who need everyday access to secure systems. Common Access Card (CAC) or Smart Card readers are used as a communications medium between the Smart Card and a host (e.g. a computer, point-of-sale terminal, network system, etc.) in secure systems such as those used by government, banking and health care.

IOGEAR's USB Common Access Card Readers require the card to be inserted directly into the reader where electrical contacts retrieve the data stored in the card’s chipset. IOGEAR’s physical contact readers are less prone to misalignment, which helps to eliminate the possibility of being misread.

What is a Smart Card or Common Access Card?

Often referred to as a Smart Card, the Common Access Card (or CAC) is the shape of a credit card, and is embedded with a data chip allowing specialized access. In addition to the embedded chip, Smart Cards are usually programmed with a PIN to ensure security for both the card holder and the system being accessed. Having reached tremendous adoption rates outside of the U.S., Smart Cards are now rapidly growing in this country to combat credit card fraud, while also providing the next generation of secure and user friendly identification. The federal government issues Common Access Cards programmed with a Personal Identification Verification (PIV) chip containing the data necessary for the cardholder to be properly identified and granted access to secure federal facilities and information systems. Smart Cards have been in use by the federal government in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) since 2006, and now the technology is rapidly spreading to banking, healthcare and other areas requiring identity verification and secured access.

What is FIPS 201?

FIPS 201 is a set of United States federal government technical standards and issuance policies specifying the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) requirements for federal employees and contractors. These standards dictate the manner by which authorized persons are granted physical and/or logistical access to federal government facilities and networks. IOGEAR’s Smart Card/Common Access Card readers are FIPS 201 compliant.

What is TAA Compliance?

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TAA compliance indicates that a specific product follows the requirements outlined in the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, basically stating that the product is made in either the United States or a designated country. The designated country list includes those entered into free trade agreement with the U.S., those that take part in the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement, those listed as a Least Developed Country (LDC), and others. Government purchase contracts, especially those for the Department of Defense, generally stipulate a product be TAA compliant in order to be considered for purchase. All of IOGEAR’s TAA compliant products meet the General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule requirements for government procurement. Additionally, several of these products are already listed on the GSA Approved Products List so government contractors, distributors and buying offices may refer to the following APL numbers listed below. Please also note that TAA compliance is not mandatory for all government agencies, so IOGEAR also offers a similar non-TAA compliant version of some products in order to provide lower pricing when TAA compliance is not required. For more information or questions about TAA compliance products, please contact us directly.

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For a list of all IOGEAR TAA compliant products click here.

The following IOGEAR products are already listed on the GSA Schedule:
GSR202 USB Smart Card Reader: GSA APL #579
GSR203 Portable Smart Card Reader: GSA APL #693
GKBSR201 Keyboard w/Built-in Common Access Card Reader: GSA APL #612

For a list of all IOGEAR TAA compliant products click here.

The following IOGEAR products are already listed on the GSA Schedule:
GSR202 USB Smart Card Reader GSA APL #579
GSR203 Portable Smart Card ReaderGSA APL #693
GKBSR201 Keyboard w/Built-in Common Access Card ReaderGSA APL #612

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If you prefer using a Mac to a PC, it can be difficult to find the right CAC card reader to work well with your machine.

So many CAC readers that might work well with Windows run into problems with Apple software and products. This is often despite the manufacturer claiming their product is Mac friendly.

To save you the trouble and frustration of purchasing a CAC reader that ends up not working for you, we’ve put together some of the best CAC readers for Mac users. Each product on this list has been confirmed to be Mac compatible by real CAC users. While a lot of products may claim compatibility, the ones on this list have been tried and tested by real Mac users.

Depending on your situation, you may prefer a CAC reader that is primarily intended for desk use, or one which is lighter and more portable. With this in mind, we offer you two lists ranking the best Mac compatible options. Don’t automatically assume the top product is the best for your situation. You might have a specific set of needs which makes another product a better fit. The tables are intended as an overall representation of the best CAC readers for Mac, but you should still consider how suitable each product is for your own purposes.

After the rundown of the best products, we have some general tips and advice on CAC usage for Macs.

Best CAC Card Readers For Mac – Desk Use

As the above table shows, the Saicoo V1 has been chosen as the best desk based CAC reader for Mac. This is our pick due to the fact that the Saicoo V1 has a good review score over a large number of reviews. The product is affordable, reliable, and has an unobstrusive, discrete style which will look good on almost any desk.

The Saicoo V2 has been chosen for the second place spot as it is slightly more expensive than the V1. However, if you definitely want a vertical standing CAC reader for desk usage, the V2 is the way to go. It has a good review score and the cost is only slightly higher than the V1. This small price increase is worth paying to get a good quality vertical standing CAC reader for Mac desk use.

Best CAC Card Readers For Mac – Portable Use

For portable CAC readers with tried and tested Mac compatibility, our top pick is the RT-SCR3 from Rocketek. The 4.5 average review score over a large number of reviews is testament to the product’s overall quality. The design means your CAC card is visible while inserted into the reader, which means you’ll never accidentally forget it.

The SCR-10 from Rocketek is the second choice pick for Mac compatible portable CAC readers. Although it is slightly more expensive than the SCR3, and has a slightly lower review grade average, the SCR-10 has a few extra features, such as built-in SD card compatibility. If you require the extra features, or anticipate needing them in the future, thge SCR-10 is a great choice of portable CAC reader.

CAC Card Readers For Mac Advice

Now that you’ve seen the best desk and portable CAC readers for Mac, please take a moment to consider the following advice.

• Always double check if the specific CAC reader you want is suitable for Mac use, specifically with your version of MacOS. There are some CAC readers that work well with older Mac versions, but not with the current iteration.
• Make sure that the seller will be happy to refund you if your CAC reader doesn’t work properly on your Mac
• Check that all of the correct drivers, security certificates etc. are in place before you throw in the towel. Sometimes, your Mac might not be the problem, it could be an issue with something else.