Microsoft Base Smart Card Cryptographic Service Provider

This topic is not current. For the most current information about the Smart Card API, see Smart Card Minidriver Specification.

The Microsoft Base Smart Card Cryptographic Service Provider is a cryptographic service provider (CSP) that provides all of the functionality of the Microsoft Strong Cryptographic Provider.

The Microsoft Base Smart Card Cryptographic Service Provider communicates with individual smart cards by using Smart Card Modules, which translate the characteristics of particular smart cards into a uniform interface. For information about the Microsoft Base Smart Card Cryptographic Service Provider architecture, see Smart Card Architecture.

The Microsoft Base Smart Card Cryptographic Service Provider is available from Windows Update in the file Basecsp.dll.

For information about cryptographic service providers, see Cryptographic Service Providers.

Microsoft Cryptographic Service Providers

Smart Card Modules