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1.1Purpose
This document describes different options how you can manage and use your HID®
Crescendo™ smart card with a variety of software options.
The Crescendo C1150 smart card is versatile and can be deployed in standalone mode (that
is, without any central card management system) or in an enterprise-managed environment
(that is, with a central card management system).
The Crescendo C1150 smart card can be used on a variety of environments, providing a wide
range of strong authentication, digital signature and encryption services – such as secure
Windows logon, secure authentication to web sites, secure authentication to remote sessions,
email digital signature, email and file encryption.
This document presents the services available via the Crescendo C1150 Mini Driver, a free
middleware from HID Global designed specifically for this card. The Mini Driver is compatible
with a number of card management systems (such as Microsoft® Forefront Identity Manager
or HID Global naviGO™) and end-user applications (such as Microsoft Windows®, Internet
Explorer®, Microsoft Office® or Adobe® Acrobat).
The document also presents additional services available via the HID Global ActivID
ActivClient™ middleware, bringing support for additional applications (such as Mozilla®
Firefox® or remote access / VPN products).
Action steps: paths, buttons, options (checkboxes). Field and dropdown list labels. Notes, important notes, and warnings. Emphasis
and captions.
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Cross-references within the document (no underlines).
1.2 Audience
This manual is specifically designed for IT administrators, who want to use their HID
Crescendo C1150 card to obtain strong authentication in their Microsoft environment.
1.3 Scope of Document
This document assumes that the system administrator has already installed and configured
other necessary components (such as Microsoft Windows, a certificate server) and that you
have a Crescendo C1150 card.
This release of the Mini Driver is designed to support the Crescendo C1150 and is a key
component of the HID logical and physical access convergence solution.
Crescendo smart cards include a PKI chip that provides extended cryptographic capabilities,
expanding the number of supported services:
Authenticate to Microsoft Windows (online or offline).
Authenticate to secure web sites.
Authenticate to remote networks via a VPN.
Authenticate to remote sessions authentication using Citrix® or Microsoft terminal
server technologies.
Sign emails, forms and documents.
Encrypt emails, documents and disks.
The Mini Driver also enables users to personalize their smart cards by:
Defining a PIN code.
Downloading certificates.
If the same smart card is used on a workstation with ActivID ActivClient instead of the Mini
Driver, you have access to additional services, such as:
PKI services with a PKCS#11 library (compatibility with Mozilla Firefox, Thunderbird®).
Automated configuration for PKI applications (such as Microsoft Outlook).
One-Time Password services enabling support for a wider range of remote access and
If a supported middleware is already installed on the machine, the Windows
Update download is not triggered.
NOTE
If the Crescendo C1150 card is used with its Mini Driver (installed either from
Windows Update or by the MSI package), you can upgrade to ActivClient 6.2
(version 6.2.0.162 or later) to gain access to additional services. When
ActivClient is installed, it takes precedence over the Mini Driver.
2.2 Installation and Upgrades
The Mini Driver is a free component and can be automatically downloaded from Microsoft
Windows Update (applicable to Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and later versions).
It is also available for download as a Microsoft Windows installer package (.msi) from the HID
web site http://www.hidglobal.com/main/crescendo/
This is useful for:
Older Windows versions where the automatic download is not available.
Workstations not connected to the internet, or with Windows Update disabled.
For further information about the installation process, see chapter 3.0 Installing the Mini Driver
on page 15.
In addition, the installer package detects potential middleware existing on the machine and
acts accordingly. For example, if the ActivClient middleware is detected, the Mini Driver
installation is not possible as you cannot have two middleware for the same card on the same
Windows workstation, and as ActivClient provides enhanced services compared to the Mini
Driver.
2.3 Supported Deployment Modes
This section describes several Crescendo C1150 deployment modes, either in standalone
mode (that is without any central card management system), or in an enterprise managed
environment (that is, with a central card management system).
Some of these deployment modes require the Crescendo C1150 Mini Driver, which is free
middleware from HID Global. Some deployment modes require additional software products,
such as ActivID ActivClient, Microsoft Forefront Identity Manager, and HID Global naviGO.
Contact the product vendor for licensing information.
This is the simplest (and also least secure) mode in which the Mini Driver can be installed and
used with the Crescendo C1150 card to provide the following services:
The card comes with a default PIN code (00000000) that you can change at any time:
On Microsoft Windows Vista and 7 - using the native Ctrl+Alt+Del Change
Password feature.
On Microsoft Windows XP - using the Microsoft PIN Tool (pintool.exe) included
with the Base Smart Card CSP package.
While there is no “simple” PIN unlock feature, if you know the ADMIN Key (set to a
default binary value 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000) and
have a tool to generate a response based on the challenge (3DES algorithm), you can
unlock the card.
The user can then use the Microsoft Windows 7 or Windows 8 PIN Unlock user
interface. It is recommended that you use card management software to manage these
keys.
You can download a certificate onto the card from the Microsoft Certificate Authority (or
other CA), by selecting the Microsoft Base Smart Card CSP.
You can use certificates for standard PKI services based on the Mini Driver, such as
Windows logon, authentication to web sites (with Internet Explorer) and PKI-compatible
VPNs, email signature and encryption (with Microsoft Outlook).
For further information, see chapter 4.0 Managing a Smart Card with the Mini Driver on page
20.
2.3.2 Standalone Mode with Advanced Middleware
Using advanced middleware such as ActivID ActivClient, you have access to additional card
management services, and you can use your card with more applications.
You can initialize a Crescendo C1150 card with the ActivClient PIN Initialization Tool,
resetting the PIN from the default value and obtaining a static unlock code.
You can change the PIN using the ActivClient PIN Change Tool (on any Windows
version).
If the card PIN is locked, you can unlock it with the static unlock code displayed at
initialization.
You can reset the card with the ActivClient PIN Initialization Tool.
You can download a certificate onto the card from the Microsoft CA (or other CA) by
selecting the ActivClient CSP.
You can use certificates for standard PKI services based on the CSP or PKCS#11
technologies, which provides more options than in the previous mode – such as
Windows logon, authentication to web sites (with Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox)
and PKI-compatible VPNs, email signature and encryption (with Microsoft Outlook or
Lotus Notes).
The user can use other ActivClient services for improved usability (card management
For further information, see chapter 6.0 Managing a Smart Card with ActivClient on page 73.
2.3.3 Managed Mode with Microsoft Forefront Identity Manager (FIM)
In this mode, the card is managed with Microsoft Forefront Identity Manager (FIM), and end
users can use the card on their workstation with either the Mini Driver or with advanced
middleware.
The card is managed by Microsoft FIM 2010 via the Mini Driver.
The card comes with a default PIN (00000000) and default ADMIN Key (binary value
With FIM, the administrator can load certificates on the card (and update them later),
and unlock the card PIN if it is locked.
If the end user has the Crescendo C1150 Mini Driver on his workstation, he can use
certificates for standard PKI services based on the Mini Driver.
If the end user has ActivClient on his workstation, he can use certificates for standard
PKI services based on the CSP or PKCS#11 technologies. He can also use other
ActivClient services for improved usability.
For further information, see chapter 5.0 Managing a Smart Card using Microsoft Forefront
Identify Manager (FIM) on page 50.
2.3.4 Managed Mode with HID Global naviGO
In this mode, the card is managed with naviGO; end users use the card on their workstation
with the Crescendo Mini Driver.
The card is managed by naviGO via the Mini Driver.
With naviGO, the administrator can load certificates on the card (and update them
later), and unlock the card PIN if it is locked.
The default PIN code (00000000) is used during the issuance process.
The default ADMIN Key is 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
(binary value).
The end user has the Crescendo C1150 Mini Driver on his workstation; he can use
certificates for standard PKI services based on the Mini Driver.
naviGO also provides emergency access authentication in case the card is lost or
forgotten.
For further information, see chapter 7.0 Managing a Smart Card with naviGO on page 85.
2.3.5 Managed Mode with HID Global 4TRESS AAA Server
In this mode, the card is managed with 4TRESS AAA Server 6.7 (version 6.7.2.15 or later),
and end users can use the card on their workstation with the ActivClient middleware (version
4TRESS AAA Server adds one-time password services to Crescendo C1150 cards, enabling
support for legacy applications that are not PKI-enabled, such as many remote access and
VPN applications.
The card is managed by 4TRESS AAA Server via the ActivClient middleware.
The administrator initializes the Crescendo C1150 cards with 4TRESS AAA Server,
adding one-time password (OTP) capabilities to the cards.
Administrators or end users can download a certificate onto the card from the Microsoft
CA (or other CA), by selecting the ActivClient CSP.
If the card PIN is locked, you can unlock it with the challenge/response unlock code
managed by 4TRESS AAA Server.
The end user has ActivClient on his workstation; he can use certificates for standard
PKI services based on the CSP or PKCS#11 technologies.
He can also use the Crescendo C1150 for remote access/VPN services using one-time
passwords.
He can also use other ActivClient services for improved usability.
For further information, see section 8.0 Managing a Smart Card with 4TRESS AAA Server on
page 97.
2.3.6 Managed Mode with HID Global ActivID CMS and ActivID CMS Appliance
To deploy Crescendo cards with ActivID Card Management System (CMS), use the
Crescendo C1100 instead of the Crescendo C1150.
To deploy Crescendo cards with ActivID CMS Appliance, use the Crescendo C800 instead of
the Crescendo C1150.
2.4 C hoosi ng S mart Car d Mid dlew are
You have a choice of Crescendo C1150 smart card middleware for end user workstations:
You can choose to deploy the Crescendo C1150 Mini Driver, which is available free of
charge.
You can choose to deploy the ActivClient software that provides enhanced capabilities.
This section presents the similarities and differences between the two options.
2.4.1 Services Available with Both Mini Driver and ActivClient
Both middleware options support the same applications for PKI services:
Windows Logon
Web authentication with Internet Explorer and Google Chrome
VPN authentication with Windows, Cisco, Juniper, etc.
Authentication to Citrix or Terminal Server sessions
Email signature and encryption with Microsoft Outlook and Exchange
Document signature with Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat
File encryption with Windows EFS
Disk encryption with Windows BitLocker To Go
Compatibility with more applications based on Microsoft CAPI / CNG
Both middleware options support some basic card management services:
PIN change
PIN unlock (with Mini Driver, not applicable to all deployment modes – requires a card
management system or utility to support the challenge / response unlock model)
2.4.2 Additional Services Available with ActivClient
The following services are available only with the ActivClient middleware:
ActivClient is compatible with a wider range of PKI-enabled applications thanks to a
PKCS#11 compliant library:
Web authentication with Firefox.
Email signature and encryption with Lotus Notes and Thunderbird.
Compatibility with more applications based on PKCS#11.
ActivClient provides usability enhancements with Microsoft Outlook, enabling users to
sign and encrypt emails without the need to learn how to configure and use it.
Outlook is automatically configured on card insertion with the user’s signature and
encryption certificates. This guarantees that users are using up-to-date credentials,
and no longer use software certificates. This also automatically configures the hash
and encryption algorithms for consistency within an organization.
Certificates are automatically published to the Exchange Global Address List (GAL)
on card insertion. This guarantees that all email encryption is performed with up-todate certificates.
Contacts’ certificates are automatically added to the user’s Outlook Contacts upon
reception of an email.
Option to automatically decrypt and save encrypted emails. This guarantees that
older encrypted emails can be read even if old encryption key is not on the card.
ActivClient provides usability enhancements with Firefox and Thunderbird, making it
easier to use PKI services with Mozilla products: ActivClient PKCS#11 library is
automatically registered into these apps, to automatically enable new users with smart
card services, negating the need for additional configuration and training.
ActivClient enables using smart cards with additional credentials than PKI keys and
certificates. ActivClient supports one-time passwords (OTP) on the Crescendo C1150
card, enabling organizations to use smart cards for remote access (authentication to
VPNs) even if these systems are not PKI-capable. Organizations that have deployed
an OTP Strong Authentication Server (such as 4TRESS AAA Server) and OTP
hardware tokens or soft tokens can now deploy smart cards to additional users and
enable a mixed OTP token / Crescendo smart card deployment. This enables a smooth
transition to PKI environments.
ActivClient includes a User Console to view and edit the card content (certificates and
other credentials). This console helps identify certificates on the card vs. all the
certificates loaded on the PC, as Windows does. The console also enables importing
keys and certificates into the card, and exporting certificates from the card. Users can
also select a “default certificate” in the case several Windows Logon certificates are
present on the card.
ActivClient includes utilities to manage the Crescendo smart cards in standalone mode:
initialization, unlock, reset cards. This provides organizations with a simple and efficient
model to deploy and manage smart cards in small deployments when a card
management system may be considered too complex.
ActivClient includes a smart Card indicator icon in Windows notification area, which,
helps identify when the card is in use.
ActivClient provides notifications to end users, helping them use and manage their
smart card. For example:
Certificate expiration notification, informing users that their certificates need to be
updated before they expire, preventing users to log on.
Unattended card notification, reminding users to take their card when they leave
their workstation.
No smart card reader notification, informing users when no reader is detected.
ActivClient has close to 100 policies, enabling organizations to configure the
middleware to match their specific security and usability requirements. For example:
Option to unregister certificates on card removal or logoff: this is a security feature
for shared workstations.
PIN cache for increased usability: the ActivClient PIN Cache provides a sort of
SSO for the PIN: users enter the PIN once, use it for multiple services (Windows
Logon, secure email, secure web, etc.), and securely! PIN Cache policies provide
the right mix of security and usability; for example PIN Cache timeout (by default
15 min – configurable), or “Per-process” PIN cache (one PIN entry per application).
ActivClient supports additional smart cards in addition to the Crescendo C1150, and is
certified by NIST and GSA to support the FIPS 201 PIV standard smart cards.
Microsoft Windows XP and Server 2003 require a Windows update
available at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/909520 to install the Microsoft
Smart Card Base CSP.
The Crescendo C1150 Mini Driver is supported with PC/SC smart card
readers.
3.0 Installing the Mini Driver
3.1 Mini Driver System Requirements
One of the following Microsoft operating systems is required:
Windows XP SP3 (32 and 64-bit)
Windows Vista SP1 (32 and 64-bit)
Windows 7 and Windows 7 SP1 (32 and 64-bit)
Windows 8 (32 and 64-bit)
Windows Server 2003 (32 and 64-bit)
Windows Server 2008 and 2008 SP2 (32 and 64-bit)
Windows Server 2008 R2 (64-bit)
Windows Server 2012 (64-bit)
3.2 Automatic Download
Crescendo C1150 Mini Driver can be downloaded automatically using the Microsoft Windows
Update feature.
When you insert the Crescendo C1150 card into a reader connected to Microsoft Windows 7
or Windows 8 (32 and 64-bit) workstation, or Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows Server
2012 (64-bit) server, the driver is automatically downloaded and installed.
3.3 Manually Download and Install the Mini Driver
If the automatic download is not available, the Mini Driver can also be downloaded as a
Windows Installer (MSI) package from HID’s web site:
The Mini Driver is installed in the following directory:
[ProgramFiles]\HID Global\Crescendo C1150 Mini Driver
3.4 Uninstall the Mini Driver
You can remove the Crescendo C1150 Mini Driver using the standard Add/Remove Programs
(Microsoft Windows XP) or Programs and Features (Microsoft Windows 7 and Windows 8)
tools.
Enrollment for a smart card certificate must be a controlled procedure, in the
same manner that employee badges are controlled for purposes of
identification and physical access.
The recommended method for enrolling users for smart card-based
certificates and keys is through the Smart Card Enrollment station that is
integrated with Certificate Services in Microsoft Windows Server 2008.
Therefore, section 4.2 describes the process of how to enroll for a smart card
user or smart card logon certificate through the Smart Card Enrollment
Station. This process is likely completed by your system administrator.
As a user, request your own certificate through the Microsoft Certificate
Services interface on your local workstation. In this case, a domain user
cannot enroll for a Smart Card Logon certificate (which provides
authentication) or a Smart Card User certificate (which provides
authentication plus the capability to secure e-mail) unless a system
administrator has granted the user access rights to the certificate template
stored in Active Directory. This is described in section 4.3.
4.0 Managing a Smart Card with the Mini Driver
This section explains how to issue a smart card for other users as well as for you.
4.1 Prerequisites
Microsoft Windows 2008 Server is installed and configured as a Primary Domain
Controller.
Active Directory is configured to manage users and computers.
DNS Server is configured with your domain name.
Internet Information Services (IIS) is installed (to be able to request a certificate through
the Smart Card Enrollment Station.
Microsoft Windows Certificate Services is installed and configured.
Microsoft CA is configured with an issuance Certificate Template for smart card logon
onto the domain. It must include the following certificates:
Enrollment Agent - a certificate intended for the entity that should be able to enroll
certificates for other entities than itself. For example, when an administrator wants
Microsoft CA Registration Authority (RA) station is created with:
to deploy smart card logon certificates for the employees in an organization, he
would require an “Enrollment Agent” certificate.
Smartcard Logon - intended for smart card logon onto the domain.
Smartcard User - an all-round certificate, intended both for smart card logon and,
for example, signing and encrypting e-mail messages and web authentication.
All the drivers required for your HID Crescendo C1150 card and smart card reader.
If you encounter an “ActiveX” error upon connecting to this page, see section
10.1 ActiveX Error During Certificate Requests on page 109.
An Enrollment Agent Certificate configured with Microsoft Enhanced
Cryptographic Provider 1.0 or similar as the CSP.
4.2 Issuing a Smart Card using Microsoft Certificate Authority
4.2.1 Enroll a Smart Card for a User with Internet Explorer
1. From the enrollment station, connect to the “Smart card Certificate Enrollment Station”
web page of the CA.
This smart card enrollment web page can be found at http://<machine-name>/certsrv/
where the <machine-name> is the machine where you have installed the CA.
2. Select Request a certificate.
3. Select advanced certificate request.
4. Select Request a certificate for a smart card on behalf of another user by using the smart
card certificate enrollment station.
The Smart Card Certificate Enrollment Station window opens.
5. Under Enrollment Options:
6. From the Certificate Template drop-down list, choose Smartcard User.
7. From the Cryptographic Service Provider drop-down list, select Microsoft Base Smart Card Crypto Provider.
8. Ensure the correct Enrollment Agent certificate is selected in the Administrator Signing Certificate box.
9. Select a User to Enroll by clicking Select User.
10. Enter the user name in which you are enrolling a certificate in the Enter the object name to select field.
11. Click Check Names to verify the entry, and then click OK.
12. Verify the user’s smart card is inserted into the smart card reader.
13. Click Enroll to enroll a smartcard user certificate for the user.
14. Enter the PIN, and then click OK to continue.
After the certificate request has been made, the CA will sign the request and return a
certificate. This certificate is automatically placed on the smart card. You might be
prompted to confirm the issuance of a certificate.
At the end of the smart card enrollment process, you are informed that the smart card is
ready for use.
15. You can verify if the certificate contains the correct personal information about the user by
clicking View Certificate. You also have the opportunity to enroll a new user by clicking New User.
4.2.2 Enroll a Smart Card for a User with MMC
1. Open the management console by typing mmc in the Start > Run menu.
2. Add the Certificates snap-in from the File > Add/Remove Snap-in menu.
3. Right-click on the Certificates node.
4. Go to All Tasks, then Advanced Operations, and then click Enroll on behalf of.
11. Enter the user name, and click OK. If necessary, click Check Names to make sure you
have selected the correct user.
12. When prompted, insert the smart card into the reader.
13. If you are prompted to enter the PIN, do so and then click OK to continue.
After the certificate request has been made, the CA will sign the request and return a
certificate. This certificate is automatically placed on the smart card.