System and method for authenticating a smart card using an authentication token transmitted to a smart card reader

1. A method for authenticating a user to a mobile unit, comprising:

receiving an indication that a smart card reader is connected to the mobile unit, the smart card reader being configured to receive a smart card;

verifying the smart card with an authentication token received previously through an authentication application, the authentication application being secure to prevent access to data in the mobile unit;

pairing the mobile unit to the smart card reader upon a successful verifying;

activating a wireless communication protocol between the mobile unit and the smart card reader upon a successful verifying; and

sharing the authentication token with a security application of the mobile unit in response to the verifying, the security application preventing access to functionalities and data of the mobile unit until indicated to provide the access, the authentication token indicating to the security application to grant the access.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the authentication application receives the authentication token during at least one of an activation of the mobile unit, an installation of the authentication application, and a manual entering of the authentication token.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining select ones of the functionalities and the data the authentication token indicates access is provided.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising: granting access to only the select ones of the functionalities and the data.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

prompting for a re-entry of the authentication token when the verifying is unsuccessful; and

repeating the prompting a predetermined number of times when the verifying is unsuccessful.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the authentication application prevents the sharing of the authentication token when the predetermined number is exceeded.

7. A device, comprising:

a memory storing data and an authentication token that is received in an initial set up process;

a microprocessor executing a security application that prevents access to functionalities and the data, the microprocessor further executing an authentication application that securely stores the authentication token; and

a wired connector configured to communicatively connect to a smart card reader, the smart card reader communicatively connecting to a smart card, the smart card including authentication data, the authentication application transmitting the authentication token to the smart card reader to verify the smart card, the authentication application sharing the authentication token with the security application when the verification is successful, the authentication token indicating to the security application to grant access to the functionalities and the data, the authentication application pairing the mobile unit to the smart card reader upon a successful verifying, and the authentication application activating a wireless communication protocol between the mobile unit and the smart card reader a successful verifying.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the authentication token indicates select ones of the functionalities and the data in which access is provided.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the security application grants access to only the select ones of the functionalities and the data.