What are Mobile Credentials?
Security is streamlining, access control is getting smarter, and we’re becoming more and more reliant on personal devices. So, unsurprisingly, our mobile phones have now become the key (literally) to unlocking doors. Mobile credentials refer to access control systems that allow authorised users to unlock doors from or with their smartphone.
The mobile revolution has become a vital part of access control. Entirely new ecosystems that rely on smartphones are replacing the need to carry traditional plastic access cards. And that’s only one benefit that mobile credentials bring to organisations of virtually any size.
Here are four advantages of using smartphones for access control.
1. Built-in Convenience
Smartphones carry the benefit of built-in convenience. People are more likely to forget a key or badge than an item of value such as a smartphone. This means they’ll almost always have their access credentials with them. In a post-pandemic working world, smartphone-powered access control is a simple way to reduce physical touchpoints at entryways.
The benefits of convenience are even greater for businesses. The tedious task of provisioning physical credentials involves buying new cards or tags and replacing them when damaged, lost, or stolen. Issuing credentials to employees’ smartphones remotely eliminates this long-winded job, saving organisations time and money.
2. Increased Security
Smartphones add an extra layer of security for users. With the evolution of technology, many smartphones now offer fingerprint or facial biometric authentication in the palm of your hand. For example, ATRIUM Mobile-PASS allows users to choose between five different methods for validating entry: biometric, scan, touch, voice or automatic.
Mobile-PASS works hand-in-hand with the A22K controller featuring military-grade AES encryption. The A22K offers superior support with the latest high-security credentials. Paired with the CDVI K Series of readers (MIFARE® DESFire® EV2 credentials) it provides users with full end-to-end encryption from the controller to the chosen credential.
People are also more vigilant about their smartphones, taking ownership of their device and keeping it safe. Additionally, given the cost of mobile phones and the amount of personal data devices contain, employees may be less willing to share their phone with another person, unlike cards/tags which are easier to share.
3. Enhanced Control
Building security staff and facility managers will have more control over assigning mobile access credentials. They can grant, modify, or revoke these credentials immediately.
For instance, when a new employee requests access, a facility manager can set up a new Mobile-PASS credential using ATRIUM management software and send the credential to the employee’s smartphone. When that employee leaves the company, the facility manager can quickly and easily revoke access rights.
4. Added Flexibility
The mobile revolution is making it easy for employees to have an all-in-one solution for daily activities. For example, they would only need one device for door entry, network access, car parking facilities and paying for lunch at the cafeteria, instead of a range of cards, PINs, or passwords to remember.
Access control via smartphone is constantly evolving as technology advances. It is an excellent alternative to key- and card-based credentials, offering better flexibility, reliability, and convenience. Smartphones have changed so much in our day-to-day lives, and now they also have the potential to transform the future of access control.