Whether it’s ordering morning coffee from a phone or video-chatting with loved ones on a tablet, we all seem to be constantly connected to our electronic devices. All of this is of course enabled by rapidly evolving technology, which is giving us the convenience and efficiency we need to live our electronic lives. Today’s fast-paced working environment is no different, and many businesses are looking for new ways to make their employees lives easier.
One of the key advancements in how we interact with our workplace is in the form of electronic locks and credential technology. One essential tool for locksmiths to be educated on is the smart card. This technology can help consolidate services and provide great convenience to building tenants and managers alike.
Though buildings have utilized proximity cards for years, the technology is limited to providing readers with card identification for access. Today, smart cards contain a built-in microchip, which can provide higher levels of security and are cost-similar to proximity cards. Smart cards also offer detection authentication and personal information storing capabilities, meaning they provide usefulness in identification, parking access and time and attendance tracking.
If applications require multiple forms of verification, the smart card securely stores other credential types, such as biometric templates, PIN codes and photos, right on the card, utilizing the enhanced storage and encryption of smart technology. It also provides an extra level of security at the access point, protecting the information behind closed doors or on the secure network.
Although the smart card phenomenon isn’t new, we’re still seeing new applications as more capabilities arise, making it easy to see why larger facilities across the world such as banks, the U.S. Government and college campuses are beginning to adopt such solutions.
For locksmiths, it’s important to understand the important role smart cards can play with customers. For many buildings, it might make sense to deploy multi-technology credential readers and electronic locks that combine the ability to read both proximity cards and smart cards in just one reader. This way, when the organization makes the transition to smart cards, it won’t have to replace all of its current devices when the move happens. During the transition, current tenants will be able to use their current credentials, and new tenants can be issued smart cards. This allows the facility to transition the rest of the staff on a reasonable timeline while maintaining budget.
As a locksmith, you play the integral role of helping customers establish access control and management. Remember that not every situation is the same. Locksmiths need to consult customers on what credentials to use for the type of security they need; after all, every situation is different.
Secure Applications
Varying levels of security are provided by access control systems to ensure proper credential usage. Here are a few examples of when smart card technology may or may not be deployed:
- For low-level security areas, you likely won’t recommend smart cards because the area is confined and doesn’t require strong levels of security. In this circumstance, a mechanical key or keypad makes sense. Keypads are easy, well-designed solutions that only require passcode knowledge. Passcodes can be readily shared and easily changed as needed, causing security limitations.
- Mid-level security areas might demand more than a key or keypad, and smart card technology might be a good option. Because utilizing a smartphone as a credential has become increasingly popular, consider the increased security they provide for users as devices are tailored to incorporate push-to-touch, pin codes and swipe codes to prevent unauthorized users from using the device. Mobile credentials offer convenience of various areas of access within the workplace and provide a helpful remote access control solution for commercial facilities.
- For high-level security areas, biometric solutions should be recommended. While smart cards may be present throughout the facility, biometric solutions, which use unique traits such as fingerprints, offer a secure identification process at the point of entry. Biometric identifiers cannot be stolen or loaned to unauthorized users unless the authorized users themselves open access.
Many types of credentials will be present throughout a facility. Some openings require a smart card and some require a biometric solution. But whether it’s mechanical or electronic, a keypad or card, locksmiths will need to be there every step of the way to help customers establish access control and management throughout the facility.
Minu Youngkin in the Integrator Marketing Manager for Allegion. For more information, visit us.allegion.com.
