Access Control Cards: Comparing How Different Systems Operate

Attaining a higher level of in-house security is always a major goal for companies and many industries. The installation of electronic systems, which track and record the entry or exit of workers and visitors, is one vital aspect that should help improve the security of an establishment. Today, many firms are issuing ID’s and other identification badges to their employees and visitors. These ID’s, which are also called access control cards, help not just to identify the person but also track his or her movement within the facility. These cards also can be fully integrated with the main access control system or computer network of an office or building.

According to office and industrial safety experts, the installation of access control systems offers many benefits. For corporate and industrial settings, the installation of this type of security system requires that each employee, whether full-time or casual, wears or carries a specially-designed ID, which has serial numbers encoded and transmitted to the central database network. These access control cards may then be activated, or immobilized, depending on whether the employee commits a major offense or ends his job contract. Today, companies and industrial firms employ the use of a number of digital technologies for their access control systems. The technology used could be in the form of a magnetic stripe card, an HID card, RFID, bar code or smart card. A magnetic stripe card reads and secures information on a magnetic strip, and when a person swipes or slides the card on a specially-designed card reader, the individual can gain entry to specific area or location in a facility. There are also RFID or proximity cards and badges. In such devices, the information is embedded in the card and the person carrying the card would waive the card within close range of a digital card reader. Proximity cards are crafted in such a way that only authorized employees or workers could be able to gain entry to certain areas or locations that require strict authorization.

Smart cards are also seen as very efficient devices for regulating the access of employees to computer networks and workstations. A smart card generally contains information embedded on a chip, and when the individual inserts the card into a computer to log in; he or she is allowed access to sensitive computer files or data. This type of technology is commonly utilized in firms and industries that need to log-in remotely, as well as to allow workers located in different locations to log-on to the same company network. HID card technology on the other hand, makes use of integrating the access card, card reader, access control panels or controllers, and a host software or user interface. Usually, each access control card variant has a built-in electronic chip set, which has a series of encoded binary numbers, and these are used to properly identify the user or cardholder. Corporate security experts say that two or more of these access card technologies may be incorporated or blended on a single card. For example, a contact-less smart card or proximity badge may also incorporate or use a magnetic stripe.

The installation and integration of access control cards helps companies and businesses in properly identifying as well as tracking, the entry of workers or visitors into their facilities. It also helps to prevent any unauthorized entry to sensitive office locations or computer files. The manufacturers who develop these types of security devices offer a wide array of customized solutions and technological advancements, and these would be attuned to your preference. Companies may also opt to install a totally integrated network for their company or facility.

Jo is an author and publisher for ‘The Card Network’ (http://www.thecardnetwork.co.uk), a UK firm that specializes in a wide variety of plastic card products, solutions and benefits, both standard and personalized. If your corporation is in search of secure and tamper-proof access control cards or has a technology-proof, sophisticated or basic printed plastic card requirement then you should take a look at The Card Network.