Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 16, 2026

OpenSC

OpenSC is a set of software tools and libraries to work with smart cards, with the focus on smart cards with cryptographic capabilities. OpenSC facilitate the use of smart cards in security applications such as authentication, encryption and digital signatures. OpenSC implements the PKCS #15 standard and the PKCS #11 API. For its reader backend OpenSC can use either CT-API or PC/SC.

Last revised
Jun 16, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
137 w
Citations
4
Source
Wikipedia ↗
OpenSC
DeveloperOpenSC Project
Written inC
Operating systemLinux, macOS, Windows
TypeSecurity library
LicenseLGPLv2.11
Websitegithub.com/OpenSC/OpenSC/wiki
Repository

OpenSC is a set of software tools and libraries to work with smart cards, with the focus on smart cards with cryptographic capabilities.2 OpenSC facilitate the use of smart cards in security applications such as authentication, encryption and digital signatures. OpenSC implements the PKCS #15 standard and the PKCS #11 API. For its reader backend OpenSC can use either CT-API or PC/SC.3

It also provides some support for Common Data Security Architecture (CDSA) on macOS and Microsoft CryptoAPI on Windows, but it is still work in progress.4

References

References

  1. "LICENSE". Github. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  2. Kirch, Olaf (2003). "OpenSC–Smart Cards on Linux". Proc. of the 10th International Linux System Technology Conference.
  3. "OpenSC download". SourceForge. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  4. "Creating applications with smart card support". Retrieved 2014-04-10.
External links