External Proximity Card Readers

Certain Android devices don't support NFC and therefore couldn't handle proximity card authentication to Imprivata MDA.

Support Introduced

Imprivata-branded rf IDEAS external USB proximity card reader devices are supported with Imprivata MDA 7.15 and later. For more information, see the supported components.

Attaching the Proximity Card Reader

• By default, rf IDEAS proximity card readers connected to Android devices are recognized as keyboards. Android requires an app to have user permissions to connect to the USB device.

  Before connecting to the device, Imprivata MDA checks whether it is permitted for connection and if not, prompts a user for the permission.

• When prompted, the user selects Always open Imprivata MDA when USB CCID is connected. This ensures that when the user detaches the card reader and attaches it again, Android will not require granting the permission again.

  This is particularly useful during device reboot because if Always open Imprivata MDA when USB CCID is connected. is not selected, after each device reboot Imprivata MDA will not be able to connect to the device without a user granting the permission.

• The dialog that allows connecting Imprivata MDA to an attached USB device can't be shown over the Imprivata MDA Lock screen (due to Lock Task and Persistent lock).

  Imprivata recommends that you attach the device for the first time when Imprivata MDA is in an authenticated state and doesn't lock the device.

  If a card reader is attached when Imprivata MDA lock screen is in the foreground, and Imprivata MDA doesn't have permission to connect to the device, Imprivata MDA postpones connecting to the device to the time when the device gets unlocked, either by user authentication, guest or admin mode - right after Imprivata MDA lock screen gets to background, Imprivata MDA triggers a USB device connect permission dialog.

Detaching the Proximity Card Reader

It is completely safe to detach the USB proximity card reader at any point.