HID Global, Vanderbilt University Pilot Uses Mobile Access Control Featuring Bluetooth Smart Technology -- Security Today

HID Global, Vanderbilt University Pilot Uses Mobile Access Control Featuring Bluetooth Smart Technology

Oct 06, 2014

HID Global recently announced completion of an access control pilot at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., that has validated the use of smartphones as a convenient and compelling new way to open doors with a “tap” or using the company’s patented “Twist and Go” gesture technology for opening doors and gates from a distance. The pilot was implemented using the company’s HID Mobile Access solution that supports Bluetooth Smart and includes Mobile IDs, Mobile Apps, mobile-enabled iCLASS SE readers, and its HID Secure Identity Services portal for provisioning and revoking Mobile IDs to a variety of Apple and Android mobile devices.

Vanderbilt University has earned many distinctions including Princeton Review’s top ranking for colleges with the happiest students, and the HID Mobile Access pilot is considered to be ground-breaking and will further enhance the campus experience. There were approximately 15 participants in the pilot that used their smartphones to open doors at one or more of six possible campus entry points, including one parking garage. Entry points were equipped with mobile-enabled iCLASS SE readers that were configured to work with existing iCLASSâ smart cards as well as HID Global’s Mobile IDs.

“A critical element of HID Mobile Access is its ease of issuing, managing and revoking Mobile IDs to smartphones, and the pilot results reflect our achievement in creating a user-friendly experience for customers via our HID Secure Identity Services portal, said Anthony Ball, senior vice president, Identity Access Management with HID Global. “The university provided positive feedback on the Mobile ID issuance process, citing that the portal made it fairly straightforward and provisioning was fast and easy. The university’s system administrators particularly liked how they could see the status of the invitation and each device all the way through the registration and provisioning process.”

Vanderbilt University uses CBORD’s CS Access™ solution with integrated VertX® access control panels from HID Global. CS Access is a fully integrated component of the CS Gold® campus card solution in use on campus. No changes were required to the CBORD system to facilitate the use of Mobile IDs on smartphones for access. Participants used their own smartphones in the pilot to include Apple iPhone 4S, 5, 5C and 5S devices and Android-based Samsung Galaxy S4 and Mini 3S handsets.

“Vanderbilt University is a long-time CBORD client with a very innovative campus card and integrated security program,” said Max Steinhardt, CBORD President. “Bluetooth Smart is a powerful new technology making the student experience more convenient and secure. We’re really pleased to partner with Vanderbilt and HID Global in this exciting pilot program to further demonstrate the value of mobile credentials in the university environment.”

In a survey of Vanderbilt pilot participants, respondents cited convenience as the top attribute of HID Mobile Access, since their smartphones are always with them and they are less likely to lose them as compared to their access card. Respondents further pointed out the benefit of using their phone as a backup in cases where their cards were lost or stolen. Pilot participants indicated they absolutely loved using HID Global’s “Twist and Go” gesture technology to open the garage parking gate as they drove up to the reader, including the convenience of not even having to roll down their window as they approached. In addition, they validated the efficiency and simplicity of installing and registering the HID Mobile App, citing that it required five minutes or less to complete the process, and it was a self-explanatory and intuitive experience. Respondents also stated that HID Mobile Access is an innovative alternative to access cards.

For new buildings, Vanderbilt University will install iCLASS SE readers so they can leverage the valuable new capabilities of mobile access in the future, while still retaining interoperability with legacy card technologies.

Featured

Survey: Nearly Half of Employees Hide Workplace AI Use

Laserfiche, a SaaS provider of intelligent content management and business process automation, recently released new survey findings on AI adoption in the workplace, revealing that nearly half of Americans (49%) who use AI at work keep it to themselves, with 15% deliberately avoiding telling their manager. Read Now
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cybersecurity
46% of Enterprise Passwords Are Vulnerable to Cracking

Picus Security recently released The Blue Report™ 2025, based on more than 160 million real-world attack simulations. Now in its third year, the report provides a data-driven assessment of how well security controls perform against today’s threats — and this year’s findings are the most concerning to date. Read Now
- Cybersecurity
Community-Led Video Security Network Transforms Pennsylvania City Public Safety

A community-supported video security initiative has transformed public safety in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The citizen-led collaboration demonstrates how open platform video technology can help revitalize struggling urban areas. Read Now
- Government
Browser-Based AI Agents: The Silent Security Threat Unfolding

Some of the most revolutionary advances in artificial intelligence include browser-based AI agents, which are self-sustaining software tools integrated into web browsers that act on behalf of individuals. Read Now
- Cybersecurity
Report: Cybercriminals Abandon Tech Tricks for Personalized Email Deception Tactics

VIPRE Security Group, a cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection company, has released its email threat landscape report for Q2 2025. Through an examination of worldwide real-world data, this report sounds the alarm on the most significant email security trends observed in the second quarter of 2025, enabling organizations to develop effective email security defenses for the remainder of the year. Read Now
- Cybersecurity

Security Today eNews

Sign up today for essential industry news and product information that can help you stay afloat in the fast-paced world of security.

Email Address*Country*

Please type the letters/numbers you see above.

PureTech Systems, Clear Align Partner to Deliver Advanced Autonomous Security, Command-and-Control for U.S. Air Force Tactical Security System

Webinars

Whitepapers

New Products

Automatic Systems V07

Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.
FEP GameChanger

Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.
HD2055 Modular Barricade

Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.