Beef Up Your Physical Access Control System
Exploring the gold standard of unrivaled encryption for security credentials?
HID access control cards are among the most popular in the world.
To find out why, check out our guide below explaining the best HID technologies to choose from, including the most secure; Seos. If your team is still leaning on legacy access control systems, you’re probably already thinking now might be an ideal time to migrate to a more secure credential.
________________________
Why Use HID Cards?
If you’re in the midst of needing to maintain an older system, but you want to upgrade to a more secure access control system, HID cards are great because they’re among the most flexible. They are designed so that multiple technologies can be included on a single card if necessary.
As a versatile card, they can be used across a full range of businesses and organizational needs including:
- Colleges
- University campuses
- Office buildings
- Warehouses
- Government authorities
- Healthcare providers
- Communal buildings
The HID range: Which is the newest and most secure?
While we recommend the newest card versions for the most robust security, we’ll also cover legacy products too. Just remember, if you’re still using older 125kHz products, you’re leaving your team, assets, and facilities vulnerable to threats.
HID Seos
HID Seos supersedes legacy and existing credential technologies by providing these key benefits:
- Highly advanced encryption and a software-based infrastructure
- Seos secures trusted identities on any form factor too – including mobile devices.
- Unrivaled data and privacy protection that can be used for applications beyond access control
- Cutting edge capabilities include dual-identity and mobile credentials.
- Best-in-class cryptography compared to other credential technologies
- Mobility: Seos is software-based and independent of the underlying hardware chip, providing new levels of form factor flexibility, including use on mobile devices, smart cards, tags, and more.
- Vertical Applications: Seos can be used to create bespoke solutions across numerous sectors including education, hospitality and government agencies.
- Best of all, Seos access control cards can specify other technologies such as MIFARE and DESFire, as well as HID legacy ranges such as Prox and older iCLASS cards.
HID iCLASS SE
Although iClass SE doesn’t offer the same flexibility and security as Seos, iCLASS SE credentials can be considered a more powerful option than standard iCLASS due to a higher data storage capability.
- It also gets an SIO (Security Identity Object). This makes the card less vulnerable than other 13.56MHz technologies.
- Can be read from a distance of up to five meters depending on the environment
- iCLASS SE can be combined with older technologies such as MIFARE Classic.
These additions increase encryption and make the cards more secure. This is a useful product for larger businesses that require increased security.
HID Prox & Legacy Products
Naturally we’re going to continue encouraging those looking for secure access control to install Seos in 2022. As the graphic below shows, a lot has changed in the 30 years since HID revolutionized the industry with its Prox card.
Despite looking the same as they always have, a card operating HID’s Seos credential is significantly more advanced than older 125kHz products such as Prox and Indala. At the very least, organizations should be considering upgrading to the 13.56MHz ultra-high frequency iCLASS SE. Why?
125kHz proximity cards are not encrypted making them incredibly easy to clone with tools that are readily available online.
Not Looking to Take the Fall for Your Organization’s Vulnerabilities?
In a 2021 “State of Access Control” Report, almost 25% of organizations reported still using iClass, a less secure system than what’s available to you.
The beauty of HID’s technology is that you can specify the latest iCLASS cards to include older Proximity technology too, to support a smooth migration to more secure technology.
Don’t want your organization to be known for lagging behind & putting your people, data, & facilities at risk?
We hope this guide to our most popular HID products has helped weigh in on your choices for upgrading your access control system.
Looking to explore more than just HID options? We offer plenty of alternative technologies for secure encrypted smart cards including Mifare DESFire EV2 credentials.
Ready to make the switch? Talk to our team of PACS Experts for a plan to make this process as frictionless as possible.
