Employee Access Control Cards

Many companies, both large and small, are now issuing employee IDs capable of doing much more than simply identifying the cardholder. Employee ID badges can be integrated with access control systems for office buildings, restricted areas, and even company computers and networks. The benefits of this type of access control are many. Consider a corporate workplace for instance. In such a setting it’s typical for both full time and temporary workers to require access to buildings and networks. By integrating employee IDs with access control, the badges can be activated and disabled as workers come and go. Say a temporary worker’s contract comes to an end, the badge can simply be deactivated.

There are several different technologies used for card-based access control systems. Magnetic stripe cards store secure information encoded on a magnetic strip. By sliding the card through a special reader, an employee can gain entry to specific buildings and designated areas. Another highly popular method utilizes proximity (or RFID) card technology. With proximity cards, the information is embedded in the card, and the cardholder must simply waive the card within range of a card reader. The system can be designed so that specific workers are able to gain access to certain buildings and areas that require authorization. When it comes to controlling access to computers and networks, smart cards are an excellent option. Typically, these cards contain information on a smart chip embedded into the card. The employee inserts the card into the computer in order to log in and gain access to the company network. Such technology is often used for companies and corporations where workers must log in remotely. This allows employees from various locations to access the same network.