Overview

ActivClient Smart Card Auto-Update is a component providing a high-level of integration with ActivID CMS. When card updates are available in ActivID CMS (for example, a replacement certificate for a soon-to-expire certificate, or the addition of new certificates on the card), administrators would typically need to inform users to access ActivID CMS User Portal; this would traditionally be achieved by sending emails to end users, with a link to the relevant URL. This model has its limits, as it requires users to actually read emails, and to click on the URL when they are connected to the corporate network.

The smart card auto-update component automates the process: when a smart card is inserted, ActivClient automatically contacts ActivID CMS to determine if a card update request is available for the smart card. This process happens on a regular basis (by default, weekly), to guarantee that updates happen in a timely manner. If no update is available, there is no disruption to the user: the process happens behind the scenes. If an update is available, ActivClient lets the user decide if the update should be performed or not.

For example, if the user is about to disconnect from the network, about to remove the card, or if it's just 'a bad time', ActivClient offers to cancel the update. In this case, ActivClient will offer the update again a bit later (after the next card insertion).

If the user is ready to perform the update, ActivClient opens a window connected to the ActivID CMS User Portal. The user can then authenticate and easily perform the card update. At the end of the process, the card is ready for usage with the updated content, and with minimal disruption to the user's activities.

In addition, users can start this card update process from the ActivClient User Console (from the Tools, Advanced menu). This provides a mechanism to connect to ActivID CMS to check for card updates without waiting for the recurrent (weekly) automatic check. This capability is mostly designed for troubleshooting purposes.

Starting from ActivClient 7.4, ActivClient supports Chromium browsers (Chrome and Edge) for card auto-update feature. Once one of these browsers are set as default browser, ActivClient launches respective browser for card auto-update operations.