Overview
Key card entry systems are becoming a common option for increasing security in a variety of settings, such as hotels, offices, and apartment buildings. Compared to conventional key and lock systems, these systems offer a more convenient means of controlling access to various regions while maintaining a greater degree of protection. There are several things to take into account when buying a key card entry system to make sure you make the best decision for your requirements. We’ll go over the important factors to think about and the many alternatives on the market for key card entry systems in this buying guide.
What is a keycard? How does it work in access control?
Numerous names are given to keycards, mostly depending on the kind of card. Sometimes known as magnetic cards, RFID/NFC cards, fobs, prox cards, swipe cards, and even basic ID cards. Their purpose is always the same, regardless of the various names they go by or the technology they employ: to effectively and safely allow or deny entry to a certain area.
Have you heard about HID cards?
Access cards are produced, distributed, and sold by HID Global, the primary keycard supplier, utilizing their proximity scanners. Despite their widespread use, a significant issue with several HID keycard types is that $10 devices may be used to easily hack them. This is because the majority of popular cards employ the weak Wiegand protocol, which makes it easy and cheap for hackers to duplicate cards and keycards. How to Buying Guide for Key Card Entry Systems You can use layered mobile access control or two-factor authentication to reduce this security risk. Explore all the major categories of access card systems and contrast them with other contemporary access control solutions by continuing to read.
With Flipper Zero, you can quickly duplicate HID cards, and free facility code calculators allow you to determine the facility codes that the majority of these cards require.
As a provider of sophisticated access control, Kisi does not support or endorse keycard theft or duplication. We want to inform and alert you by exposing the weaknesses of widely used access mechanisms. Let’s explore every detail of the keycard systems.
Variety
Selecting the kind of key card entry system that best suits your demands is one of the most crucial decisions you will make. Key card entry systems come in a variety of forms, including networked, standalone, and cloud-based options. Whereas networked systems are appropriate for bigger facilities with numerous access points that require central management, standalone systems are best suited for smaller businesses with a restricted number of access points. Cloud-based solutions are a popular option for firms with many locations because they provide the flexibility of real-time monitoring and remote access management.
The type of key card technology that a key card entry system utilizes is an important factor to take into account when making a purchase. Key card technologies come in a variety of forms, such as smart cards, proximity cards, and magnetic stripe cards. The most popular kind of key card, magnetic stripe cards are frequently found in hotels and business buildings. Compared to magnetic stripe cards, proximity cards are more secure since they connect with the card reader via radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Since a microchip is necessary for smart cards to function, they are the safest kind of key card available.
It’s also critical to take the system’s scalability and flexibility into account when investing in a key card entry system. Make sure the system can easily handle your present requirements and grow with you in the future. Select a system that can be readily modified to accommodate additional access points or features as required. Take into account the system’s usability as well as the manufacturer’s degree of technical assistance and training.
Advantages
- Can impose limitations on certain hours, access levels, or even the quantity of unlocks.
- Cards are a more secure way to access doors than keys and keypads since they can be deactivated remotely.
- Wallets, card holders, and keychains all accommodate cards and key fobs with ease.
- Can be utilized again by utilizing the same card to reconfigure access. In contrast to metal keys, which must be returned, outdated access cards can be retired.
- The majority of keycard systems are simply cloud-upgradable to improve security and provide mobile access.
Conclusion
When purchasing a key card entry system, one must carefully evaluate the system’s adaptability, scalability, and key card technology. By choosing the ideal solution for your needs, you may enhance security and access control in your company. To choose the ideal key card entry system for your unique needs, think about speaking with a security specialist or provider.
Key card entry systems have emerged as a crucial instrument in the quickly changing field of security systems for ensuring safe access to a variety of locations. Key card entry systems are anticipated to get increasingly more complex as technology develops, bringing new capabilities like mobile access control and biometric verification.
