Healthcare Network Migrates to Contactless, Multi-application Access Control
HID Global has enabled the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network (AEHN) to re-badge more than 7,000 personnel following the firm’s spin-off and corporate re-branding, while also migrating to higher-security 13.56 MHz contactless technologies.
“HID Global provided the existing Wiegand magstripe system at AEHN, so it was a natural progression to upgrade the access control system and produce badges using HID Global’s solutions,” said Russell Jones, network director for protective services at the healthcare network. “By choosing HID’s iCLASS contactless smart cards, we now have higher levels of security than traditional access-control technologies, and also benefit from a platform that incorporates our KRONOS payroll system and other applications such as single sign-on and cashless vending.”
AEHN’s first objective was to re-badge personnel at the organization’s four hospitals, seven campuses and approximately 50 off-site primary-care physician and surgical-center locations. Its technology integrator, Siemens, chose HID’s dual-technology iCLASS readers and smartcards to replace the organization’s 300 existing Wiegand swipe readers. Because the iCLASS readers simultaneously support legacy magstripe cards and new, secure contactless cards, AEHN was able to make a smooth, disruption-free transition to the new, re-branded ID cards across multiple campuses in many different geographical regions.
“We are pleased to have been able to support AEHN and Siemens with AEHN’s re-badging production strategy, while also providing the company with a path to more secure access control and multi-application card flexibility,” said Eric Widlitz, managing director of identity and access management with HID Global. “HID’s dual-technology iCLASS migration readers and credentials help users make the transition to higher security with better performance, while also deploying multiple applications on a single credential.
AEHN produced its 7,000 new dual-technology badges using HID Identity on Demand services, rather than producing the badges in-house. This enabled AEHN to complete its re-badging production run in just four weeks with minimum involvement from its protective services team. The personalized credentials were tested over two payroll cycles and performed flawlessly each time, including demonstrating full compatibility with AEHN’s KRONOS payroll system. An additional 3,000 badges were developed with iCLASS secure contactless technology only, since AEHN will eventually replace all legacy Wiegand magstripe technology with secure iCLASS reader and card technology.
Since adopting the new smart-card badges, AEHN departments have integrated other functions, including single sign-on to computers, which enhances information security and cashless vending, which integrate AEHN’s cafeteria and vending systems with its KRONOS payroll system. Future plans include tracking mandatory employee vaccinations, adding physician credential information for disaster preparedness, and integrating medical records and patient data.