Apps and access control

ACCESS

Whilst it’s still early days for ‘smart credentials’ technology adoption within access control solutions, its popularity is on the increase and with good reason

Watch a video on smart credentials here:

Using smart devices removes the need for access cards, tokens or fobs to be issued. The user downloads an app or token onto their smart device, enabling them to gain access to a building or site by using something they are already carrying around (their smart phone or watch), rather than a separate card, token or fob.

When the user wishes to gain access, a secure app is activated on their mobile device (normally by the device being in proximity to a credentials reader). The information which establishes access rights is transmitted through the air – as a digital credential. If the prerequisite conditions are met, access is permitted. In today’s world of convenience, this is right up there.

According to Buzz Coates of Norbain, along with offering the ultimate convenience, there’s one advantage in particular that could drive long term acceptance of smart credentials within access control over alternative solutions, the environment.

“In their current format, many access control solutions rely heavily on single use plastic,” says Buzz. “Within the Paris Climate Change Agreement, governments around the world have committed to reducing their country’s impact on Climate Change and the UK Government has just pledged to reduce emissions by 68% by 2030.”

This is just one argument that a security installer could consider when discussing access control solutions with customers. There are other benefits too including:

Reduced risk

“Research shows that users are less likely to forget their smart devices than a security pass, access token or fob,” says Caroline Cooper at Norbain. “It’s one less thing to remember to bring with you to work. They are likely to take better care of their smart device because it is personally valuable to them and/or incorporates other benefits such as the ability to manage work calls/emails/systems.

“A security system is immediately compromised when a user loses their traditional access mechanism.”

Cost savings

There is a cost associated with replacing lost or stolen access mechanisms for organisations, both physically and in terms of managing a system of re-issuing or updating security cards, fobs, etc.

“Credentials within a smart device can be automatically updated and are less likely to be lost or stolen because users take better care of them generally,” explains Caroline. “This reduces the overall cost of ownerships of the access control solution.”

Even if some of the costs can be recouped, e.g. on a university campus by charging students when they are issues with an access device, there are still administration costs.

Cloud-based management portals allow administrators to create, manage, issue and revoke credentials.

Reduced maintenance

Smart credential solutions normally work through a cloud hosted platform, therefore allowing ongoing maintenance to be carried out remotely, with alerts in place for anomalies and the ability to quickly see exactly where a problem has occurred, reducing the time to fix it. And with a subscription-based service, end users and installers alike can benefit from a predictable cost/income structure which enables organisations to efficiently scale up or down in response to their business needs.

“It’s clear that flexibility is key when assessing the implementation of a smart credential access control solution and there are pros and cons within each level of adoption,” concludes Buzz. “Individual end customer needs must be fully explored and most likely a phased implementation approach embarked upon.”