Last year, a Harvard student was caught making illegal duplicates of Harvard University ID cards. The new smart cards will bolster security by using strong encryption technology and more advanced security procedures. Each card will contain encrypted information that must perfectly match data stored in the school's security system in order for the cardholder to gain access to specific campus buildings.

The cards will also provide students with a new level of convenience. In order to enter dorms and student housing facilities, they'll simply have to hold the card within close proximity to the building's card reader. Another function of the cards is cashless payment. As in the past, each Harvard University card will be linked to a Crimson Cash account. This account will be accessed through a magnetic stripe on the card, and can be used to make purchases at dining halls and various retail locations.