A Closer Look at Access Control Badges and Cards
Identification badges can also be access credentials at a facility with an electronic access control system. With specialty door hardware, doors stay locked until an authorized person approaches a door and presents the credential to a small card reader next to the door.
Let’s take a look at how these systems work to keep your facility secure.
Access Control Systems
It’s important that an access control solution is a multi-layered system and not a single component. Successful systems will typically contain one or more types of credentials, door locking hardware, and management software. The software is usually integrated with other security systems, such as the video surveillance system, and is preprogrammed with detailed user information. The user information is matched to a facility-defined user level that serves as permission for a specific type of perimeter and internal access. The electronic door hardware keeps doors locked until a valid credential is presented.
Badges and Cards
A credential card, such as an ID badge, is provided to an employee permanently or visitor temporarily to be used for door access. So, what’s the difference between a badge and a card credential? Nothing other than the images printed on it when it’s used in conjunction with an access control system.
Badges make great credential cards because they usually have a photo, name, company identifier, and title (manager, engineer, etc.). When displayed, badges help other staff members and security personnel to visually identify the employees and visitors within the facility. The downside to the printed badges is that they can become a target for theft. Stealing a high-level badge could provide unauthorized access to a sensitive or dangerous area. Lost badges can also be a security risk. Because of loss and theft, some facilities may choose to deploy dual authentication measures. Dual authentication requires the use of a credential card in conjunction with a biometric or personal identification number (PIN), and can significantly reduce the risks associated with lost or stolen credentials.
Electronic Security
Credential cards that are part of a complete access control system are also protected electronically.
Each card is coded with identifiers that are unique to their facility. This prevents a card at Company A from being used at Company B.
Cards are encrypted for cybersecurity. Information is passed from the card to the reader by proximity. This means that a card could be read by a criminal using a similar card reading device. To prevent this, card encryption can ensure that the data on the card is read only by an authorized device. This also prevents falsified cards from accessing the facility.
The Right Partner
Solution design is a process. Netronix begins by evaluating an organization’s unique application and performance expectations. Input is gathered from the security team, facilities staff, IT department, administrators, and other stakeholders. Next, we perform a site survey to evaluate the physical layout of the facility and uncover potential vulnerabilities. Once the risks and expectations are clearly outlined, our team designs a unified security solution. Products from a variety of leading manufacturers are assembled into a custom design and demonstrations of key components are performed with the client.