Out of Access Cards (or Out of Options?)
As businesses continue to bring back their workforce from the pandemic, security teams in charge of access control are running into issues. Large companies are experiencing an influx of visitors as hiring increases and remote employees are being called back for in person work at office facilities. Many are finding that the access control procedures implemented pre-pandemic are no longer adequate to support the growing need for security, nor will they address the lack of access to critical technology components. While anticipating an increase in the number of individuals accessing a building, or updating the type of access they may require may have been a routine process pre-pandemic, businesses using certain specific technology might be in for an unfortunate surprise in the current economic climate.
One of the major drawbacks of the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting logistical and supply chain aftermath, has been the scarcity of computer chips. Most of us have been affected by or heard news reports about the chip shortage influencing the production of new cars, the price of household appliances, or the release date of popular new devices. What isn’t always top of mind is the fact that certain chips utilized in RFID tags we use every day are also affected. Whether we microchip our pets for safety, use convenient contactless payment, or manage the daily inventory tracking for our jobs, most of us rely on RFID tags both personally and professionally.
A major use of RFID technology for the security industry is with physical access control systems and the HID iClass badges employees use to enter their workspaces every day. Companies across the nation rely on their access control systems to not only provide employees, customers, and visitors with quick access to their workspace without physical keys, but also to reinforce security and safety. For large manufacturing plants that employ hundreds of workers, having a smoothly running access control protocol is critical. Major industries must maintain strict security compliance to operate, and not having access to a specific card can be a significant problem. The moment a company that relies on issuing hundreds of cards a day finds itself without the supplies they need for weeks, the supply chain delay will suddenly turn from a mild inconvenience into a make-or-break scenario. Though companies will likely create temporary solutions, those may not be compliant with security protocols or sustainable in the long run. This is especially true with industries such as tech or medical facilities which deal with sensitive information and high-value individuals.
Avoiding Access Control Catastrophe
Though reports show that the microchip industry is on track to recover, it is widely recognized by experts that the chips which will become available won’t necessarily be the right kinds to meet demand. The companies that are most at risk from a microchip supply chain disaster are those without an access control technology expert watching their back. Having access to an experienced consultant who can provide informed recommendations in the event of a supply chain lag can mean the difference between compromised security protocols and seamless business operations. Technology advances rapidly and companies need a consultant who knows what options are available and which recommend what will work best for their specific operations.
There is a large selection of technology accessible to accommodate the specific access management needs of your company. From different types of ISO Prox badges to Mobile ID credential solutions which utilize HID bluetooth readers, the technology tools exist to help ensure a supply chain fiasco has minimal effect on your corporate access control standards.
How ADVANTIDGE Helps
One of the key benefits of working with ADVANTIDGE is our consultative approach backed by over 20 years of experience in access control systems. We leverage our extensive experience in physical access control to provide expert guidance in solving their specific access control issues, as well as anticipating potential problems. As your company looks to the future, it is crucial to have an access control consultant who is aware of the challenges in the technology supply chain and provide you with the resources to plan accordingly. ADVANTIDGE can give notice on potential problems and expert recommendations on whether your IT/Security team may need to utilize a different type of RFID badge to ensure the needed level of access control.
The ADVANTIDGE team strives to go the extra mile for our clients. This oftentimes will include sending physical working samples for testing and providing clear guidance to help your team understand the unique coding built into your existing technology as well as possible upgrades. We go above and beyond to ensure our client’s access control needs are met.
We recently helped a world-class hospital upgrade its proximity system from a less secure technology to a modern system that fits its precise needs. With 10,000+ personnel and 1,000+ access points, our client had extensive access control needs and their existing system was not up to date. Our team assessed their facilities, personnel, and existing access policies to create a secure solution using iClass Seos readers that strengthened security while still allowing the old technology to be used.
Read more about how ADVANTIDGE helped equip our client for success.
