Cherry has launched two new smart card devices, the Smart Board 1150 and the Smart Terminal ST-1150, designed for seamless integration with Windows, Linux, and macOS, emphasizing straightforward deployment and security in healthcare and government sectors.
CHERRY has added two new smart card devices to its line-up: the Smart Board 1150, a full keyboard with an integrated reader, and the Smart Terminal ST-1150, a separate desktop unit. They replace the older KC 1000 SC and ST-1144 models and are already on sale, with CHERRY pricing the keyboard at €49.99 and the terminal at €34.99.
The main selling point is straightforward compatibility. According to CHERRY, both devices rely on the CCID class driver already built into Windows and on pcsc-lite under Linux and macOS. In practice, that means they are designed to work without proprietary software, which is still uncommon for this category of security hardware. Industry documentation on PC/SC and CCID support from other reader vendors also shows that this plug-and-play model has become the standard route for smart card readers on mainstream operating systems.
The hardware is aimed at secure authentication and transaction workflows. A smart card can be used to verify identity, sign a document, open access to a network or decrypt a file while keeping the private key inside the chip. The ST-1150 is described as a universal reader for contact card use and supports common smart card protocols such as T=0, T=1 and ISO 7816, according to a retailer listing. It is also marketed for sectors including healthcare and government, where simple deployment and cross-platform support matter.
CHERRY has also added firmware update capability through an onboard flash controller, which gives the devices more flexibility after deployment. That is useful for maintenance, but it also raises security questions if the update process is not strongly authenticated. The company’s announcement did not explain how update signatures are checked. The ST-1150 is presented as fully made in Europe and carries TAA and FIPS-201 references, while the keyboard version includes a Copilot key and is offered in a Trade Agreements Act-compliant variant for regulated US procurement.
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