Integrating card access control provides a secure way to protect a company assets. Nevertheless, threats of card cloning and door controller interceptions is increasing and some has move toward smart card for better protection. But the transition to smart card may not be the easiest switch when some companies have to consider the cost and scale of the project.
Integrating card access control provides a secure way to protect a company assets. Nevertheless, threats of card cloning and door controller interceptions is increasing and some has move toward smart card for better protection. But the transition to smart card may not be the easiest switch when some companies have to consider the cost and scale of the project.
Marc McNicholl, Senior Applications Engineer for CEM Systems, offered his insight of the four consideration companies often have when shifting to smart card access control.
Cost
"The industry's drive towards more secure technologies with multiple layers of encryption is pushing the cost of smart cards down," says McNicholl. The advance in technology offers strengthen protection from authentication breach while providing other business functions.
Security
The entire smart card security must be considered to ensure high level of protection between the card reader and controller. Options such as using secure RS485 communication protocol and Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) will provide safer access for smart cards.
Compatibility
One of the major concern for companies is the compatibility of smart cards toward existing systems. There are no one definite solution to solve every end user's needs. Some end users might have different manufacturers for its access control readers and must consider if the new card will work with its current model. Others may consider if their business system works with the smart card. A user should examine their own operation and speak with a solution provider before choosing the smart card.
Key Management
After choosing the right smart card, the decision must be made for choosing between buying blank smart cards and self-manage its own keys or purchase pre-personalized smart cards from manufacturers. Each option has its own benefits and risks and a user need to examine their own business and resource to determine the best path.
Pre-personalized smart cards from manufacturer eliminate the responsibility for ensuring compatibility of smarts cards for third party readers and other security systems. The key security and storage is managed offsite and manufacturer would take in the cost that comes with smart card management.
If the end user chooses to purchase blank smart cards then a discussion should be made with the manufacturer to get their expertise on the best possible route for integration. Some manufacturers may provide software utility or application within their security management system to create and manage smart cards efficiently.