HID iCLASS Elite Compatible Cards & Fobs
HID iCLASS Elite is the iCLASS SE credential platform hardened with an organisation-unique AES master key through HID's Elite Key program, isolating each deployment from any shared-key compromise.
iCLASS Elite is not a separate chip or card SKU — it is the result of enrolling an iCLASS SE credential under HID's Elite Key program, which substitutes the global standard authentication key with an AES master key unique to the purchasing organisation. This means Elite-keyed cards are immune to attacks derived from exposure of HID's standard key, and because they still carry SIO Data Binding on a Common Criteria EAL 5+ secure element, they cannot be cloned or re-issued by any third party — American Key Cards is candid about this limitation and directs Elite customers to their authorised HID dealer for re-enrollment.
HID iCLASS Elite specifications
- Brand / OEM
- HID Global / ASSA ABLOY
- Technology
- 13.56 MHz Contactless Smart Card — Elite Key Program overlay on iCLASS SE platform
- Frequency
- 13.56 MHz
- Chip
- Same as iCLASS SE — Common Criteria EAL 5+ certified secure element, AES co-processor; credential differentiated by unique organisational Elite Key
- Bit formats
- 26-bit Wiegand H10301, 37-bit H10302 / H10304, Corporate 1000 (35-bit), Any HID format — SIO-encoded under Elite Key
- OEM part numbers
- 3000 series (iCLASS SE card — Elite-keyed at issuance), 3050 series (iCLASS SE Composite — Elite-keyed), 3100 / 3150 series (iCLASS SE + Prox — Elite-keyed), 3250 series (iCLASS SE Key Fob II — Elite-keyed), Note: Elite is a key program applied at issuance, not a distinct hardware SKU
Honest note: HID iCLASS Elite is a secured credential
HID iCLASS Elite is not a separate hardware product — it is the HID Elite Key Program applied to iCLASS SE credentials. The program replaces HID's standard shared authentication key with a unique organisational master key, so that even if a standard-keyed SE card elsewhere in the world were compromised, your Elite-keyed cards remain protected. Elite Keys are AES-based and generated specifically for each enrolled organisation; they are held by HID and the customer's system integrator, never published. SIO Data Binding (the same mechanism as standard iCLASS SE) means the credential payload is cryptographically tethered to the physical chip. IMPORTANT HISTORICAL NOTE: In 2012, researchers demonstrated the LOCLASS attack, which could recover iCLASS legacy Elite master keys by emulating low-entropy card serial numbers at a reader over approximately 16 seconds. The SE-generation Elite Key program applies to a fundamentally different (AES, EAL 5+ chip) platform and is not subject to the same attack. No public attack against SE-platform Elite-keyed credentials has been demonstrated. Third parties cannot clone or reproduce Elite-keyed iCLASS SE cards. Re-issuance requires the organisation's Elite master key and HID's issuance infrastructure. If you're deploying a new system or need standard prox credentials your readers also accept, contact us and we'll tell you exactly what's possible.
Can HID iCLASS Elite cards be copied?
No. HID iCLASS Elite relies on secure encryption, so it cannot be cloned from an existing card. This is a security strength, not a limitation of our service.
Where HID iCLASS Elite is used
- Enterprise deployments requiring maximum iCLASS SE security assurance
- Organisations with prior standard-key compromise seeking remediation
- Government and defence contractors on iCLASS SE infrastructure
- Large healthcare networks requiring credential isolation across sites
Compatible readers
Related formats
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HID iCLASS SE
HID iCLASS SE is the second-generation 13.56 MHz smart card platform, introducing Secure Identity Objects (SIOs) and AES encryption to make credential cloning technically infeasible.
View compatible cardsHID Seos
HID Seos is HID Global's current flagship smart card credential, delivering AES-128 encryption, Common Criteria EAL 5+ hardware, and SIO Data Binding — making it immune to all known cloning attacks.
View compatible cardsHID Prox H10301 (Standard 26-Bit)
The HID H10301 26-bit format is the most widely deployed proximity card format in North America, used on millions of doors across commercial and residential buildings.
View compatible cardsHID iCLASS Elite — FAQ
What is the HID Elite Key program?
The HID Elite Key program replaces the standard shared authentication key on iCLASS SE credentials with a unique, organisation-specific AES master key. This means your credentials are isolated from any compromise of the global standard key — even a breach elsewhere in HID's ecosystem does not affect Elite-keyed cards at your site.
Can iCLASS Elite cards be cloned?
No. iCLASS Elite credentials run on the same Common Criteria EAL 5+ hardware as standard iCLASS SE and carry the same SIO Data Binding that locks the credential to the specific chip. The Elite Key adds an additional layer: without the organisation's unique master key, there is no known method to extract or reproduce the credential. American Key Cards does not clone Elite-keyed cards — it is not technically possible.
My iCLASS Elite card was lost — who can issue a replacement?
Replacement requires your organisation's Elite master key, held by your system integrator or HID authorised dealer. A new iCLASS SE blank card must be enrolled using that key through HID's issuance platform. American Key Cards can help identify the correct blank card part number and refer you to an authorised HID Elite dealer.