Rethink Credentials

Rethink Credentials

  • By Jason Bohrer
  • May 16, 2023

Access control readers have been around commercially since the 1980s, along with physical badge credentials to open doors. Initially, these were magstripes, then proximity cards, then smart cards. The problem is, however is, these are still cards. Plastic cards that identify who you are, and where you work. In a world where technology is being innovated faster than ever before more sustainable alternatives are required.

The smartphone has provided the ultimate handheld user experience without which no one can leave their home. Now holding the ability to store keys and access buildings, businesses and university campuses have no choice but to keep up with the times and implement mobile access credentials instead of the traditional plastic credentials that face the risk of being lost and stolen and cost organizations time and money.

Do You Still Need a Badge and Reader to Open a Door?
Physical credentials have always meant physical wired readers needed to accompany them, creating a double cost.

Many companies have shifted to incorporate multi-technology readers into their product mix to provide a migration pathway from cards to mobile access, this solution adds further ‘upgrade’ cost. Up until now, mobile access has still required an access control reader.

Turning Access Control on its Head with Readerless Technology
Sentry Access uses the user’s smartphone’s NFC to perform the role of the reader by verifying the credential with the help of the wireless Sentry Access NFC tile interacting with Sentry interactive’s cloud infrastructure, the buildings controller and the access control server.

Effectively, the Sentry Access wireless self-powered NFC tile takes the role of the fob or keycard in a traditional access control sense. The user’s credential is registered as a secure digital key for the specific doors they have been granted access to, preventing unauthorized users from gaining entry.

Sentry mobile access is inherently more secure than a physical credential which can be easily lost, shared, stolen or cloned. If a smartphone is lost or stolen it fails over into a secure state, as is supported by multi-layered authentication through biometric fingerprint or facial recognition to unlock.

Badgeless, Readerless and Frictionless
Sentry Interactive offers customers a frictionless cloud-based access control platform, providing mobile access credentials to keep the company safe and secure. The mobile credential removes the PII concerns, creating a safe and secure user experience for the employee.

With Sentry Access, Sentry Interactive innovates access control, enhances user experience, and strips out the need for readers, and the hardware and installation costs associated with them.

This article originally appeared in the May / June 2023 issue of Security Today.

About the Author

Jason Bohrer is the CEO of Sentry Interactive.

Featured

  • Cloud Adoption Gives Way to Hybrid Deployments

    Cloud adoption is growing at an astonishing rate, with Gartner forecasting that worldwide public cloud end-user spending will approach $600 billion by the end of this year—an increase of more than 21% over 2022. McKinsey believes that number could eclipse $1 trillion by the end of the decade, further underscoring the industry’s exponential growth. Read Now

  • AI on the Edge

    Discussions about the merits (or misgivings) around AI (artificial intelligence) are everywhere. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find an article or product literature without mention of it in our industry. If you’re not using AI by now in some capacity, congratulations may be in order since most people are using it in some form daily even without realizing it. Read Now

  • Securing the Future

    In an increasingly turbulent world, chief security officers (CSOs) are facing a multitude of challenges that threaten the stability of businesses worldwide. Read Now

    • Guard Services

  • Security Entrances Move to Center Stage

    Most organizations want to show a friendly face to the public. In today’s world, however, the need to keep people safe and secure has become a prime directive when designing and building facilities of all kinds. Fortunately, there is no need to construct a fortress-like entry that provides that high level of security. Today’s secured entry solutions make it possible to create a welcoming, attractive look and feel at the entry without compromising security. It is for this reason that security entrances have moved to the mainstream. Read Now

Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening. 3

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings. 3

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis. 3