The right smart card technology can be a tough call, but it is even more so for MIFARE® DESFire® EV1 and EV2. Fortunately, you will soon find out how they compare! In this guide we  will explore the key differences, show you some improved features and tell you which option is best for your security and access control needs.

What is MIFARE DESFire EV1 and DESFire EV2?

MIFARE DESFire EV1

MIFARE DESFire EV1 is Common Criteria (EAL4+) certified, which means it has a very high security level. It provides fast and secure data transmission, flexible memory organization and compatibility with existing systems.

Open international standards for the air interface and cryptographic techniques form the foundation of the MIFARE DESFire EV1. It fulfils all four levels of ISO/IEC 14443A and supports optional ISO/IEC 7816-4 commands. This implies it integrates seamlessly into various setups, from transit passes to corporate ID cards.

Its multiapplication support is one of its biggest strengths. A single card will hold up to 28 different applications, with each one having up to 32 files. Because it can be used for employee access, secure payments, or any other use case, it is incredibly flexible.

Its second key feature is that it has an automatic anti-tear mechanism that protects data integrity during transactions. Moreover, EV1 guarantees quick and efficient communication with data transfer rates up to 848 kbit/s.

MIFARE DESFire EV2

The upgraded version of EV1 is MIFARE DESFire EV2, which has stronger security, better performance, more features. It is Common Criteria (EAL5+) certified, the same security level as banking cards and electronic passports. EV2 provides an extra layer of security if security is your top priority.

EV2 is better at multiapplication support, supporting more than 28 applications (limited only by memory) instead of 28 applications. It is therefore an ideal solution for smart cities where one card can handle public transport, bike sharing, access to city attractions, citizen services and e payment applications.

Additionally, EV2 adheres to international open standards for cryptography and air interfaces. Fully compatible with ISO/IEC 14443A, it also supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 commands and is compatible with existing NFC reader infrastructure.

It has another major upgrade to its flexible key management system, which will be easier to integrate with new systems. In addition, it has a Transaction MAC feature, which ensures data integrity by verifying transactions before they are completed.

On the basis of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, EV2 also makes it easier to integrate with mobile ticketing systems, banking convergence cards, and smart paper tickets. It is a future-proof solution to changing digital ecosystems because of its adaptability.

MIFARE® DESFire® EV1 vs EV2 Differences

It has been mentioned earlier that the biggest difference between DESFire EV1 and EV2 is that EV2 can support unlimited number of applications while EV1 can support only 28 applications. However, EV2 adds to that with a few key benefits that it has over EV1, making it a more advanced approach for modern applications.

1. Read Range and Speed

EV2’s significantly improved read range and speed, along with fast and convenient contactless functionality, were designed to ensure that they are faster and more convenient than EV1. The official operating distance is 10 cm, but third party tests indicate EV2’s real range exceeds this, so it is more reliable in real life conditions.

When compared to other contactless technologies, MIFARE DESFire 4K EV2 cards have a maximum data rate of up to 848Kbit/s, which makes them one of the fastest contactless technologies available today.

2. High-Security EAL5+ Certification

MIFARE DESFire EV2 is Common Criteria certified to EAL5+, a step up from EV1’s EAL4+ certification. EV2’s higher level of security is more resistant to attacks in environments where security of data is critical, for example, banking, government IDs, and transit.

In addition, EV2 also includes on chip backup management as well as mutual three pass authentication, which makes it more reliable and secure against fraud.

3. Proximity Check (Anti-Tamper Feature)

Proximity Check is one of the biggest security enhancements in EV2. It protects against relay attacks where hackers try to intercept and prolong the card’s signal remotely.

Proximity Check from EV2 is a feature that prevents the card signal from being read by any reader but a nearby one, which reduces the risk of unauthorized access to a great extent.

4. Unlimited Application Uses

EV2 is different from EV1’s 28 application limit, as it removes restrictions and allows you to store as many applications as there is memory for. EV2 is then the perfect choice for the complex, multi use smart cards in smart cities, universities and corporate environments.

One card that gets you building access, allows you to pay for public transport, pays for cafeteria and even saves loyalty programs! That’s what EV2 makes possible!

5. Backward Compatibility

EV2 is a big advantage since it was designed to be fully compatible with previous MIFARE technologies such as DESFire EV1, and older MIFARE chips.

That means if you have EV1 already, EV2 will let you upgrade gradually without changing everything.

EV1 vs EV2 Comparison Table

MIFARE DESFire EV1 vs EV2: What’s the similarities?

MIFARE DESFire EV1 and EV2 are both great choices, though they differ in many ways, they are similar in many ways.

• 56MHz: Same frequency used for communication with NFC and RFID readers.
• Both are highly secure AES-128 encryption, which is a great choice for sensitive applications.
• EV1 and EV2 are built on the same fundamental technology so they can be configured to work interchangeably.
• If you’re upgrading from EV1 to EV2, your existing card readers will continue to work, so no need to replace your readers and other top of the line accessories.
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How to Choose between MIFARE® DESFire® EV1 and EV2

The choice between EV1 and EV2 is based on your requirement. A simple way to decide is:

• Choose EV1 if:
  • You require a cost effective solution for basic access control or payment application.
  • EV2 offers more security features than your system is already using EV1.
  • You need only a handful of applications (28 or fewer) per card.
• Choose EV2 if:
  • Sensitive applications like bank or government ID require higher security.
  • You need a future proof card that will enable unlimited applications.
  • The system you’re implementing is a smart city, university, or enterprise wide system with a number of services on the card.
  • For high traffic environment, you need faster processing speed and extended read range.

EV2 is the smarter investment if you are planning for long term growth and enhanced security. However, if you’re after a simple, reliable and affordable option, EV1 will still do the trick.

Conclusion

MIFARE DESFire EV1 and EV2 are excellent solutions for secure contactless applications. EV1 is a great simple, cost effective and proven solution if you’re looking for one. However, if you require more security, multi application functionality and faster transactions, then EV2 is the way to go.